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Read moreWhen it comes to optimizing women’s health, women can complete screenings to ensure that they are in good health. It is important to be knowledgeable about the various types of tests and screenings that you can complete to ensure that everything from a physiological perspective is running optimally.
Different types of tests are available to screen women to help ensure that they are in good health. While some of these tests are recommended throughout a woman’s lifespan, Harvard Health recommends various types of screening tests for women of all ages. Some of these tests include:
Mount Sinai and several other health and medical organizations recommend that all women, including those who are in good health, take the tests listed above as a proactive measure toward optimizing their health and well-being. While many may not know about several of the recommended tests listed above, it is important to take a preemptive approach to health optimization, rather than reactive.
Women who take the tests listed above may get more insight into their inner physiological functioning and help them to better understand their current health status. If you are unsure about where to begin, consulting a trusted healthcare provider about various tests and screenings is a helpful jumping-off point.
While there are several tests listed above, your doctor will provide you with detailed information about how to go about getting these screenings completed. Some of these screenings can be completed at an annual physical check-up, such as getting bloodwork conducted. If you are wanting to get more specialized screenings and testing completed, such as tests that screen for bone density, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and more, your primary care physician will likely need to refer you to a specialist who can run these tests and properly analyze the results for you.
If you haven’t completed the tests listed above, it can be helpful to know what you are going into ahead of time so that you can be best prepared. This is especially important for women’s health tests, as some can feel very personal and/or invasive.
For the sake of this article, we will focus on a few of the tests and what to expect during each:
While many women get normal results back from the types of tests listed above, there is no need to panic if your results come back abnormal. Depending on your specific circumstances, a healthcare provider will devise a plan to help optimize your health and well-being.
If you receive suboptimal results for the following tests, a personalized treatment protocol will be provided:
You should be seen for preventive health measures at least annually, and more frequently if your provider recommends it.
A healthcare provider may recommend skin exams to screen for skin cancer, especially if you are considered high-risk. Talk with your provider about options.
Some women report feeling mildly uncomfortable during mammograms due to the tenderness of the breast tissue, the modality used, and the pressure. Talk with your provider about these concerns before going for your test.
An individual’s access may vary based on geographical location and other factors. There may be individual challenges to obtaining some of these screenings, all of which should be addressed with a provider.
Yes, you should seek specialized prenatal screenings with a qualified professional if you are pregnant. These tests will assess the health of you and your baby.
You should visit the gynecologist once a woman is sexually active. Otherwise, seeing a gynecologist around the age of 21 is typically recommended, according to Women’s Health Specialists of North Texas.
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