How Often Should you Visit a Women’s Health Clinic?

One of the most fulfilling things in life is; knowing when we’re at the top of our health. If you’re a female, regularly visiting your women’s health clinic will help you ensure that your sexual health is perfect and your reproductive organs have no complications. That’s one aspect of your health down with no worries.

How Frequent should you Visit a Gynaecologist, though?

There are several recommendations on frequencies for visiting a women’s clinic such as PK Women’s Clinic. With all the seemingly conflicting pieces of advice, it is easy to be confused about the whole concept of visiting a women’s health clinic.

We attempt to clear the air by clarifying instances when you need to visit the clinic more frequently. We also touch on vital screening recommendations that will help you keep your health in check.

Instances when you need to Visit your Gynaecologist’s Clinic More Regularly

It is recommendable that you regularly visit a reputed women’s health clinic when;

You’re planning or trying to conceive

To ensure that your pregnancy isn’t rocked with complications, it is important to get into it when you’re healthy. A common misconception is that you should only see a gynaecologist when you are pregnant. However, if you are trying to conceive, you should plan regular visits to a gynaecologist about 3 months prior. Regular visits to a certified women’s clinic will ensure that you get all the assessments and physical checks to ensure that your body is ready for pregnancy. Your clinicians will also advise you on appropriate prenatal diets and genetic screenings that you may want to consider with your partner.

You will also need to visit your women’s clinic regularly when pregnant so the gynaecologists can help you confirm the pregnancy. They may also help you with prenatal care during your pregnancy until delivery.

If you notice abnormal discharge, odour or experience pain during sexual intercourse

You should not assume any form of discomfort on the vagina. In some cases, the abnormal discharges, odour, pain or burning sensations are signs of bacterial infections or STDs that need immediate medical care. The doctors will help you do important tests to determine the cause of your discomfort and help you find an ideal way of solving the problem.

If you share sex toys with multiple partners or anonymous partners

Apart from having multiple sex partners, sharing sex toys predisposes you to a wide range of STDs which may range from HIV to syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, among others. If you share sex toys, have multiple sex partners or have a history of multiple sex partners, it is ideal that you regularly visit a women’s health clinic for a full check-up on the STDs you could be exposed to.

If you have unprotected sex with multiple partners or with a partner who has unprotected sex with anonymous partners

If you or your partner commonly engage in unprotected sex with other people, you are at higher risks of getting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, HPV, syphilis and gonorrhoea. Note that most of these STDs won’t show symptoms until they progress so an early detection will be necessary for detecting and managing them early when treating them isn’t complicated yet. Note that, the regular visits, if you have multiple partners or a partner who commonly have sex with anonymous persons, will also be necessary even if you only have oral or anal sex.

If you experience period complications

Period complications may be due to diseases like uterine fibroids or endometriosis etc. If you get heavy or severely painful periods, you will need frequent visits to a reputed women’s health clinic to determine the cause of the problem and get a treatment plan.

How Frequent should you Visit your Women’s Health Clinic for Screening

Pap Tests

If you’re a woman between age 21 and 29, you should do a Pap test once after every three years. The tests are commonly done to examine the cells of your cervix for precancerous cells.

However, if you have a history of cervical cancer or your gynaecologist is concerned about other risk factors for cancer of the cervix, they may recommend that you start the Pap tests early or do them more frequently. If you’re 30+ years, it is recommendable that you get an HPV and Pap test after every five years. Either way, you can also do Pap tests alone at least once every three years, but the key is to get tested regularly.

Pelvic Exams

While a pap smear is done to detect cancer cells in the cervix, a pelvic exam is done to detect abnormalities in the cervix and identify medical problems with the vulva and other STDs. A pap smear and pelvic exam should be done hand in hand to keep your reproductive system healthy. However, if you’ve never had sex, then a pelvic exam is not necessary.

Screening for gonorrhoea and Chlamydia

If you’re a sexually active 24 years old and below, you should get tested for gonorrhoea and Chlamydia at least once each year. The same would be advisable if you’re 25+ years and exposed to varied risk factors such as anonymous or multiple partners.

Take Away

Note that everybody is different, and we’re all exposed to varied risk factors. Because of this, there isn’t any specified number of times for visiting a women’s health clinic. But generally, women between 21 to 29 should visit a gynaecologist every year for regular tests. Those who start being sexually active before 21 should then also practice annual checkups.

To be on the safe side, be sure to start you’re appointments early. If you have a daughter who’s getting into puberty too, be sure to help her book her first appointment from as early as 13 years. Those under the age of 21 and not sexually active can see a gynaecologist every other year.

It will not only help keep her sexual and reproductive health in check but also ensure that she feels natural visiting a women’s clinic. For any inquiry about your gynaecologist’s appointment, drop us a line today and we’ll help you get all your concerns sorted.