It is a good practice to always be in the know when it comes to your general health. With that being said, visiting a women’s clinic in Singapore is equally vital, so you’re always aware of both your reproductive and general health as a woman.
In many years helping women keep up with their health, the Health Clinic Group has always noted that most women miss vital clinic visits because they do not know when to visit the facility. Some also miss because of a lack of awareness of how vital those regular visits are to them. In today’s blog post, we clear the air on what happens when you visit a women’s clinic and how often you should visit a women’s clinic in Singapore.
What’s included in a Women’s Clinic Visit in Singapore
When you visit a gynecologist, two of the most possible things you will do are a pelvic exam and Pap smear test. These tests serve very different purposes but very crucial in helping you prevent or detect dangerous diseases early before they can wreak havoc on your health.
Your clinician will help you do the pelvic exam to check for any anomalies around the pelvic region. On the other hand, the Pap smear test helps detect if there are cancerous cells in your cervix.
Are Pap smear Tests and Pelvic Exams Necessary when you Visit a Women’s Clinic in Singapore?
If the recent cancer diagnosis reports are anything to go by, Pap smear tests and Pelvic exams are necessary when visiting a gynecologist. Around 429 Singaporean women are diagnosed with cervix cancer each year, and 208 succumb to this disease.
By maintaining regular visits to your OB/GYN, you stand a better chance of detecting cancer at its early stages and start essential medications to curb its spread and possibly treat it. On the other hand, the pelvic exams can be pivotal in identifying STDs, any medical complications with the vulva, and other important health issues that you may not notice by just looking at the vagina.
Ideal Number of times to Visit your Women’s Clinic in Singapore
There are a few factors that will determine how often you visit your OB/GYN in Singapore. These include;
- Your Age
If you’re a woman between 21 years and 29 years, you should visit your gynecologist annually for a wellness exam. However, this may change to multiple visits throughout the year if you notice any unusual changes or symptoms in your body.
Some of the abnormal changes may include; strange vaginal odor, pain during sex, and irregular bleeding. There is no hard rule stating that you must only visit the women’s clinic if you’re within the age bracket of 21 to 29 years. It is equally advisable that if you’re already sexually active before reaching 21 years you visit the women’s clinic each year.
The annual pelvic exam may not be absolutely necessary if you’re not sexually active. However, it is essential if you’ve had or experienced any complications.
If you are not sexually active before turning 21 years, though, you can see the gynecologist at any other time. However, the basic rule of thumb is to make the first appointment when you’re 16 years old.
If you’re 30 years plus and have not been treated for any STD, you’re not pregnant, and also in stable health, you can visit the women’s clinic in Singapore every other year. Usually, you’ll get the Pelvic exam and Pap smear tests. However, the number of Pap smear tests you’ll get may reduce if you don’t have any background of precancerous cells from previous tests.
What are the things to discuss when you visit a Women’s Clinic?
When you visit the gynecologist, they’ll ask you a couple of questions, which you must be honest when responding to. This will be pivotal in avoiding misdiagnosis and any other risks that may come with it.
Here is a rundown of the critical things you should discuss when you visit your preferred women’s clinic in Singapore;
- Painful periods. If you have period pains that go beyond cramps and get really severe, you could be dealing with a dangerous medical condition, for example, uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Talk with your gynecologist about this to get the help you need to control such situations.
- Vaginal odor. Vaginal odor may be normal. However, sharp changes in the ‘regular smell’ you’re used to or foul may signal a vaginal infection or bacterial overgrowth. Be sure to discuss those changes with your doctor too.
- Sexual discomfort. If you’re experiencing sexual dryness, reduced sex drive, or pain during intercourse, be sure to bring up this topic with the doctor as well. They will advise you appropriately.
In Summation
It would be better if you treat regular visits to women’s clinic as a necessity rather than an option. It’s for your own health and the earlier you detect cancerous cells or any other complication around your pelvic region, the better. Let us know today if you need any help setting an appointment with a qualified OB/GYN in Singapore.