The importance of going regularly to the gynecologist
Gynecological examinations are essentially important for women, especially from the moment they begin to have sexual relations, it is necessary to have a complete examination, every year (annually). However, even if she does not have sexual relations after the age of 25, a gynecological check-up is essential for all women.
With the gynecological verification, risk factors that can be corrected can be detected, in addition an evaluation of the state of the genital apparatus is necessary, as well as the breasts, all this to corroborate that you are in perfect health, as well as detect pathologies that need of a possible treatment.
Generally, women usually go to a gynecological specialist only when they have discomfort or simply when they are pregnant, however, it is recommended to have a gynecological check-up annually.
In addition, if your main goal is to get pregnant, then you should go to the gynecological consultation so that the specialist can detect and treat those diseases that are associated with the gestation period, abortions and everything that has to do with pregnancy.
The previous consultation can serve to facilitate an adequate control to carry out a healthy pregnancy.
Why is gynecological check-ups essential?
Some diseases or pathologies do not always show symptoms, until a good time has passed since their onset, which is why the gynecological check-up allows you to prevent the early detection of certain alterations of the reproductive organs, the gynecological check-up is essential for:
- Prevent sexually transmitted diseases
- Breast cancer
- Gynecological cancer, among other diseases.
In addition to what is mentioned above, a gynecological examination is important to detect certain problems that are usually derived from sexual activity.
The gynecological examination is usually based on the following:
- A clinical consultation (questions)
- Physical examination (body) and
- Medical tests (Cytology, Mammography, bone densitometry)
Also, its purpose is to detect alterations in what has to do with the reproductive system, remember healthy habits, make recommendations that have to do with sexual health, pregnancy planning, infection prevention, nutritional habits and more.
Gynecological examination before getting pregnant
One of the most important decisions in the life of a woman is to have a child, this is therefore an irrevocable commitment, which is why going to a gynecological check-up before becoming pregnant is very important, since you will be able to rule out any type of problem.
During the gynecological examination, the specialist will ask you a series of questions that must be answered, such as:
- The antecedents that have to do with family congenital defects.
- Background on any type of illness that you have suffered or currently suffer that may complicate or interfere with the pregnancy, among other questions that are necessary for the pregnancy to be healthy.
Within the gynecological examination before becoming pregnant, the specialist will recommend some treatments that you should take, such is the case of:
- Folic acid, this is recommended to all women who are looking for a pregnancy, it is essential that it be taken at least one month before conceiving, as for the dose, it will depend on certain factors, such as: weight, age or if you are taking some kind of treatment.
- Previous vaccination before pregnancy (HPV, rubella, hepatitis or chickenpox), this is an aspect that should be assessed before becoming pregnant.
Another important aspect that should be checked in the gynecological examination is the treatments that may be followed, as well as adding preventive treatments in certain complications that are derived from antecedents or pathologies, such as:
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Renal disease
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Asthma
- Infectious diseases, among other types of pathologies or antecedents.
Infertility
This is the inability to get pregnant after a year, which is why if you find yourself trying to conceive in about a year, then you should consider getting an infertility evaluation.
If you are over 35 years old, then you should start with an infertility evaluation, this past 6 months, instead of waiting a year, this will allow you to get the proper treatment you need.
In addition, when you are over 35 years of age, the number of eggs begins to decrease, this makes the woman run a higher risk of suffering from disorders that may affect her fertility, such as:
- endometriosis and
- uterine fibroids
deeper study
After spending a year without getting pregnant, then it is very possible that the couple may have fertility problems, so both the woman and the man should undergo necessary fertility tests.
In women, the study usually consists of a hormonal analysis and an ultrasound, however, there is also the possibility of performing other types of tests as a complement, such as: karyotype and hysterosalpingography.
For the diagnosis of infertility in women, the specialist will ask a series of questions about what her reproductive life is like, then the possibility of carrying out the diagnostic tests that are usual when attending a gynecological office is evaluated, these are usually the following:
-
- Ultrasound, here the uterine anatomy is valued and also the state of the ovaries.
- hormone analysis, in this diagnosis the level of sex hormones and hormones that act in the menstrual cycle is measured.
- A hysterosalpingography study, In this case, an assessment of the fallopian tubes and their permeability is made.
- a karyotype study, This is done to find out if there is a chromosomal alteration.
Assisted reproductive treatments
These are a favorable alternative for infertile women who have not been able to conceive naturally; however, they want to be mothers, below, we mention the assisted reproduction treatments:
artificial insemination
Artificial insemination
It is a technique that is quite simple and it has a high percentage of success, this can be of 2 types:
- conjugal artificial insemination, the partner's semen, is used for artificial insemination and
- Artificial insemination with donor sperm, in this case the sperm are from an anonymous donor.
The procedure for both cases is usually the same, the sperm are previously prepared in a laboratory and they are placed inside the uterus of the person who wants to get pregnant, this through a special device.
There are 3 phases of this process:
- Ovarian stimulation and ovulation
- preparation and
- Semen training and insemination
In vitro fertilization
Known as IVF, it consists of the union of the ovules that are usually obtained through follicular aspiration and sperm that are in optimal conditions so that they can fertilize and therefore can give rise to embryos that later, they are transferred to the uterine cavity of the woman who wants to become a mother. It is important to mention that this entire process is carried out in a specialized laboratory.
This treatment is indicated in those couples whose infertility is usually due to the tubal factor and when there is an absence of the male factor, this means that when the fallopian tubes usually have problems in women of any kind and when there are no alterations in the semen of the man.
In addition, this treatment can be indicated when other treatments that have been indicated by specialists have not been satisfactory, also in those cases where the problem of infertility is long-standing and the age of the woman is advanced.
Some general recommendations
It is important to note the following:
Perform a pre-pregnancy medical consultation, this to:
- Evaluate the health through a physical examination and a biological examination to establish a possible pre-pregnancy risk of the couple.
- It should be treated and also advise on those problems that usually exist.
- The woman's conditions must be adequate to become pregnant.
- Planning is essential for the moment of becoming pregnant, so it is advisable to attend gynecological consultations.
The gynecological consultation prior to pregnancy is one of the best prevention options for women, this is because the health of the baby will depend on all those measures that the woman will adopt before starting the gestation process and this is possible under the supervision of your gynecological doctor.
Depending on the family and personal history, in addition to the medical or reproductive history, it is possible to indicate other possible tests, so the gynecological check-up is essential.
As we have mentioned throughout this article, before pregnancy, it is essential to do a gynecological check-up, in addition to taking into account the following recommendations
- Do not self-medicate if there is a menstrual delay
- Reduce alcohol and tobacco
- Perform adequate physical activity
- Have the appropriate vaccinations
- proper diet and
- Gynecological review
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