If you are a woman, visiting your OBGYN doctor regularly for a checkup is one of the most important ways you can protect your reproductive health. Your OBGYN doctor is an expert at prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions associated with your reproductive system, including:

• Breast lumps
• Breast cancer
• Pelvic pain
• Cervical abnormalities
• Cervical cancer
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Your regular gynecological checkup should occur at least once each year. It's a very thorough examination to protect your reproductive health. During your regular checkup, your OBGYN doctor will:

• Perform a breast examination to check for lumps or abnormalities
• Order a mammogram or other imaging if necessary
• Perform a pelvic and vaginal examination to check for lumps, discharge, or other abnormalities
• Perform a pap smear to be examined for signs of cervical cancer

Regular checkups are important, but you should also visit your OBGYN doctor if you experience:

• Late, irregular, or missed periods
• Severe or continuous pelvic or vaginal pain
• A yellow, gray or green discharge from your vagina
• Difficulty with menstruation due to severe cramping or bleeding

Your OBGYN doctor is an expert at treatment of women, from when you are first menstruating and beyond. Some of the services provided by your OBGYN for young women include:

• Prescribing birth control
• Fertility counseling and treatment
• Prenatal examinations
• Pregnancy examinations
• Newborn care counseling

Your OBGYN doctor can administer medical care to you throughout your life. Some of the services provided by your OBGYN doctor for older women include:

• Perimenopausal and menopausal counseling
• Prevention of osteoporosis due to menopause

Menopause can introduce you to some unpleasant side effects. Your OBGYN doctor can help minimize the effects of:

• Drying skin and hair
• Loss of vaginal moisture
• Regulation of hormones
• Relief from mood swings
• Treatment for night sweats
• Treatment for hot flashes

To find out more about the importance of regular gynecological checkups for women’s health and other gynecological services, talk with an expert. Call your OBGYN doctor today.