Girl Power: Why Your Sexual Health is In Your Hands

Becoming a teenager is a very turbulent time in more ways than one. Not only are you going through all these physical changes, but your emotional wellness also takes a major hit. Does any girl suddenly grow breasts, start periods and get hair in weird places without being a little bit affected by it? You’re becoming an adult – both physically and emotionally – and that’s a pretty scary thing. There’s also a certain amount of responsibility attached to this new body you’re developing. Kids don’t have to give much thought to taking care of their wellbeing – especially considering the fact their parents do it for them – but as a teenager you need to start thinking about your body and how to take care of it.

 

This is no more true than when it comes to your sexual health, especially with regard to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Young people aged less than 25 years experience the highest rates of STIs in the UK, with the peak age for girls being between the age of 19 and 20. The worst news is that not only are people your age getting infected, but it’s happening to individuals more than once! Official statistics show that, of all 16-19 year olds diagnosed with an STI in 2009, at least 11% of women and 12% of men will become re-infected within a year. It’s really important to look after your body and this includes looking after your sexual health by staying free from STIs.

 

But why are STIs such a big deal? If you have an STI and you let it go untreated, this may lead to some serious health consequences and even prevent you being able to have children in the future. The problem with STIs is that they don’t often present with any obvious symptoms, meaning that you could have one without even realising. As we’ve already discussed, this is something you’ve never had to deal with before, which is why teenagers don’t give much thought to their sexual health. However, just like the rest of your body, your vagina can be affected by infections, sickness, stress or antibiotics.

 

With regards to infections, it’s easy to catch an STI off someone who has already been infected. Like I’ve said, the symptoms of an STI aren’t always obvious, and so your partner may not know he has one, and could pass it on to you through oral, vaginal or anal sex. That said, there are a few signs for women that an STI might be present. These include itching, soreness, unusual discharge, swelling or pain. Sometime even cold and flu symptoms may indicate an STI. Therefore, if you experience any of the above symptoms, or you have unprotected sexual contact with someone else, you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible, and get tested for STIs.

 

Another important sexual health strategy to take up is to get a Pap smear on a regular basis. You should start having Pap smears two years after the first time you have sex, AND after you turn 18, and then every two years after that. During the Pap smear test, your doctor will take a sample of cells from your cervix so that he or she can detect if there are any changes to the tissues or cells in your cervix or womb. Human Papillomavirus is one of the most common causes of these changes, and is also responsible for causing genital warts. Pap smears are done by doctors and nurses all the time, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.

Categories: pap smear, Screening and Testing, sexually transmitted infections

Five Forgotten Checkups It"s Time to Schedule

Regular checkups are required to keep the body strong and healthy. If you want to prevent illnesses, you should know when to get regular checkups. Here are the five most commonly forgotten checkups that it’s time to schedule.

 

1. Schedule a Dental Cleaning 

A regular dental cleaning is necessary, and experts such as Able Dental Group can help. Every six months appointments are recommended by most dentists to remove plaque buildup and prevent cavities from spreading out of control. Prevention is the key to good dental care. X-rays taken annually during these visits will reveal the movement of the teeth. Braces or corrective measures can be avoided if the problem occurs.

 

2. Schedule a Breast Exam

In the past, women were required to have a pap smear every year. Recent studies have proven that this is not necessary unless there’s an abnormal test, but most physicians recommend a Pap smear and a breast exam annually. Women who are between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap smear every three years.

 

Women who are between the ages of 30 and 64, you should get a Pap test and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years or the Pap test every three years. Women who are 65 and over and have had three normal Pap smears consecutively do not need a Pap smear regularly any more. Women who do not have a cervix, have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer, or have had a hysterectomy do not need a Pap test annually.

 

3. Schedule a Prostate Exam

You should schedule a prostate cancer exam annually after the age of 40. Before 40, you should have a prostate exam every two to three years. This is the most common form of cancer in men. One in six is are at risk for developing prostate cancer. Keep in mind that African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white Americans.

 

4. Get an Annual Physical

How often you get an annual physical will depend on your age and health status. Your ability to pay for a physical may also affect how often you’ll need a physical. Most insurance plans will pay for having a test every few years.

 

5. Get a Colorectal Cancer Screening

A colorectal screening should be conducted regularly after 50 to check for abnormal or pre-cancerous growths in the colon or in the abdominal area. A colonoscopy may be conducted or a fecal occult blood test may be required.

 

Don’t forget these tests. Prevention can go a long way in helping people save money and avoid illnesses. Contact your physician today.

Categories: annual physical, breast exam, checkups, dental cleaning, exam annually, forgotten, pap smear, pap test, prostate cancer, regular checkups, years nbsp

What To Expect From Your First Gynaecologist Appointment

Gynaecologist appointments can seem daunting if you don’t know what to expect. But there’s no need to worry about it – it spells those first precious steps from girlhood to womanhood, and means accepting that your body has changed. Before you go to your first appointment, there are some things to prepare for your visit and some things you should expect before you go. You should have your first appointment between 13 and 15 years old, although some women wait until they start having sexual intercourse before they visit the gynaecologist, or until they have a symptom that they are worried about such as abnormal discharge. But there’s no need to wait until you have something to worry about, like irregular periods or vaginal burning – you can book it at any time. And the sooner you start having exams, the better – they should be regular to keep on top of your health. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous, but there isn’t anything to worry about. The first appointment in particular is very simple and is more about your GP getting to know you. They will likely ask you about your health up until this point, your family’s medical history, and your sexual health. Being honest with these questions is important, as it will enable the doctor to give you help if you need it.

There are four types of gynaecological exam that you may have during your visit. Each type depends on the length of your appointment, your age, sexual history and whether you have any symptoms that are of a concern. If you’re going to have any tests, your GP will explain them first of all so there’s no need to be anxious. You will most likely be instructed to go to the bathroom or a changing room to undress in private and put on a gown. It’s normal to feel anxious about being naked, but the gown will cover you and your doctor will only uncover the areas they need to examine. All women are tested in the same way and it’s perfectly normal. The four types of exam are as such: a general examination is the same as with any medical examination, such as checking your weight, height and blood pressure. A breast examination which involves the doctor checking your breasts with their fingers to detect whether there are any lumps or abnormal discharge. A pap smear is a scraping of cells from your cervix that involves the doctor using a special brush to gently wipe cells from the cervix which are sent away for testing; this will display any abnormal cells that may be present.

 

Lastly, you may have a pelvic examination which isn’t tested on women unless they’ve had sex or have experienced worrying symptoms. This involves the gynaecologist asking you to lie on a table with your feet in stirrups with your legs elevated so that they can check your vagina. Using gloves, they will check your vulva to rule out infection, and then open your vagina slightly with a speculum which is a metal or plastic instrument that gently opens the vaginal walls. They may take some cell samples to see if your have any STDs, and they may take the pap smear at the same time. They will also feel your cervix, ovaries and womb by pressing on your abdomen. This examination isn’t usually painful if you’re relaxed, as tensing up makes it more painful.These appointments are a great chance for you to discuss issues you’re worried about and to check the state of your health, and really aren’t anything to worry about.

Categories: abnormal discharge, appointment, doctor, examination, gynaecology, health, pap smear, Testing, Women, worry