Mother’s Day marks the start of National Women’s Health Week. To celebrate, read these general women’s health tips to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Schedule Your Routine Breast Exam
Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 45-54 receive a yearly mammogram and every other year between ages 55-74. Discuss your need for a mammogram between the age of 40-44. The team at Muskegon Surgical Associates, or your primary care physician, can assist you in coordinating your mammogram.
Ensure Pelvic Floor Health
Both men and women benefit from a strong pelvic floor. For women in particular, a healthy pelvic floor improves bladder control and recovery after childbirth. Strengthening and maintaining the pelvic floor is a vital component to women’s health. Certain exercises such as kegels, squats and bridges can help strengthen these muscles and prevent incontinence as women age.
Practice A Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle comes from a series of healthy choices that become our daily habits and routines. Generally speaking, there are some tips that you, a woman you love, or anyone can benefit from such as:
- Eating a well-balanced diet of healthy foods
- Making time for physical activity once a week
- Getting the proper amount of sleep (6-8 hours)
- Taking time to manage stress
- Refraining from smoking
To manage these factors of your healthy lifestyle, remember to stay on top of your annual wellness checks with your primacy care provider.
Schedule Routine Pelvic Exams and Pap Smear
At age 21, women should take time for an annual pelvic exam to detect ovarian cysts or other infections. These personal, but quick exams can be life-saving for some women, and often necessary before prescribing birth control. It is recommended that a healthy woman has a routine pelvic exam once every three years until age 65. The risk of cervical cancer can increase after menopause, so it is recommended that both pre- and post-menopausal women schedule pelvic exams. Your primary care physician can assist you in scheduling these appointments.
MSA can help women of every age and lifestyle take steps to improve their wellbeing. To learn more about screenings and health options for women, contact your primary care physician for a personalized health plan.
Sources
MSA Website
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322720#troubleshooting
https://www.grmedcenter.com/womens-health/
https://www.healthline.com/health/pelvic-exam#post-exam
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17343-pelvic-exam