Female Health Check Up: Things Women Should Have Checked in Medical Exams
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2013/08/21 - Updated: 2021/10/26
Topic: Female Health - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: A list of medical and health checks that should be performed by women when visiting the doctor. A full check up for women includes a comprehensive work-up for general health, including heart diseases, cholesterol, diabetes, major organ functions, osteoporosis and common cancers like liver and colon cancer.
Introduction
With today's busy lifestyles, finding time to visit the doctor can often be difficult but it is important not to forget about our health. Regular health check-ups are important for women. Even in the absence of symptoms, many physicians recommend routine, yearly doctor visits and physicals for females of all ages.
Main Item
A full check up for women includes a comprehensive work-up for general health, including heart diseases, cholesterol, diabetes, major organ functions, osteoporosis and common cancers like liver and colon cancer. Specifically designed for women, the plan also screens for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers as well as pelvic disorders.
Physicians integrate the information you provide from your symptoms, past health problems, physical examination and testing to detect disease or a risk of disease. If you feel well and have a normal exam, it's likely you are healthy. Unfortunately, many conditions can escape detection even with the best medical care. Which exams and screenings you need depends on your age, health and family history, and lifestyle choices such as what you eat, how active you are, and whether you smoke.
You can get some screenings, such as blood pressure readings, in your doctor's office. Executive medical check ups usually require you to stay in hospital overnight. Tests will be conducted on your entire body to make sure that there are no problems and that you are healthy.
When it comes to intimate medical examinations, most women prefer a female doctor to examine them.
Before your examination your doctor may advise you not to eat anything solid for about 24 hours so that certain tests can be performed. The tests will include x-rays of certain areas in your body, urinalysis, stool sample, blood sample and a lot more. During the tests, the doctor may ask you some questions. If you have any concerns or are experiencing something out of the ordinary, you can tell your doctor so that certain tests can be conducted. Certain medical medicines may be prescribed if you have any ailments.
Cholesterol Level Test
With today's diet and lifestyle your regular doctor check up should include a cholesterol level test. If your cholesterol is found to be high there are steps you can take to improve their cholesterol levels, and help prevent heart disease and heart attack. The medical term for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. Such a disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides.
Blood Pressure Check Up
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and check your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked during every visit to your doctor. Checking it at your yearly checkup will set a baseline.
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. If you have heart or kidney problems, or if you had a stroke, your doctor may want your blood pressure to be even lower than that of people who do not have these conditions. You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older. This is because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. When that happens, your blood pressure goes up. High blood pressure increases your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and early death.
Dental Examination
A dental examination, also called an intra-oral examination, includes an inspection of your teeth and surrounding tissues of the oral cavity including; all surfaces of the tongue, the salivary glands and ducts, and the lymph nodes of the neck. Regular dental examinations (ideally every 6 months) are very important and help you to maintain a healthy mouth. The process allows the dentist to check for early signs of dental problems, such as decay or gum diseases like periodontal disease. A complete dental exam should also consist of a complete series of x-rays.
Eye Check Up
It is important for women to have eye exams on a regular basis to check for certain problems. Your eye test may take from half an hour to an hour. It will evaluate both your vision and the health of your eyes. Regular eye exams are critical for detecting conditions such as: Glaucoma, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, and Diabetic retinopathy. When you attend your eye test, take your glasses and/or contact lenses, if you use them, and sunglasses for the trip home as your pupils may be dilated.
Excess Weight or Obesity
In addition to seeing the health care provider regularly, you should try to maintain your weight at a comfortable, health level and do frequent physical activity or get regular exercise. The best way to learn if you are overweight or obese is to find your body mass index (BMI). You can find your BMI by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator. A BMI between 18.5 and 25 indicates a normal weight. Persons with a BMI of 30 or higher may be obese.
During your checkup your doctor will probably ask you to undress partly or completely. They will then perform some or all of the following:
- Take a urine sample.
- Take a blood sample.
- Examine the external parts of the genitals.
- Take swabs from the vagina and/or cervix.
- Do a pap smear : This is when they take samples from the cervix using a small spatula and brush, and place the samples on a small glass slide for testing.
- Do a internal exam : This is when the doctor places their fingers inside the vagina and their other hand on the stomach in order to feel the ovaries and uterus.
- Put a speculum inside the vagina to examine the inside of the vagina and cervix. A pelvic exam is a way for your healthcare provider to examine your female organs and check for any gynecological problems.
- Perform a mammogram - A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that is designed to detect breast cancer. The test uses a special x-ray machine to take pictures of both breasts. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly onto a computer for a radiologist to examine.
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.