Women Deserve Preventive Care

Statistics show women are almost 2 times as likely to seek out primary health care as men. Many women understand the critical role primary healthcare providers play in maintaining long-term health. Beyond treating illness or managing chronic disease, a family doctor or primary healthcare provider is a partner in preventative care. Women have unique needs, and working with a family doctor is essential to preventing disease and catching potential issues specifically tied to women’s health. Learning about the various ways preventative care can catch potential issues early can help more women commit to annual checkups and other essential screenings.

Comprehensive health screenings just for you

An annual wellness visit (AWV) or annual checkup is recommended for everyone to maintain health and proactively identify and treat health issues. This is a check-in with a primary healthcare provider that includes blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks, diabetes screening, and mental health assessment. The doctor discusses lifestyle changes, reviews medication, and checks family medical history to determine potential risks. These checks can be customized for women. Discussing bone density tests, breast exams, and mammogram timing are essential components of women’s preventative care. Combining all data, the doctor can make a custom screening schedule beyond the guidelines of an AWV.

Reproductive health guidance

Women have specific needs surrounding reproductive health at different points of life. From concerns with menstruation to pregnancy and menopause management, doctors provide care through all reproductive stages. During preventative care visits, women can discuss contraception options, infertility concerns, and monitor reproductive-related conditions. Some women depend on preventative care to identify and treat conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. While a gynecologist can provide more details on these conditions and needs, preventative care maintains the overall reproductive health picture.

Addressing mental and physical health

Women face unique challenges with mental health. Statistics show that women are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health illnesses. The many stressors of today’s world, combined with stress that occurs during pregnancy and motherhood, mean women need more care. During preventative care visits, a family doctor may screen for these mental health conditions. Where necessary, doctors can provide initial treatment or refer women to specialists. Doctors also keep factors like hormonal changes, life transitions, and chronic stress top of mind. Improving emotional health goes a long way to boosting physical health

Osteoporosis risk assessment

As women age, bone health becomes an increasingly important concern. Studies show that changes during menopause impact bone health and density. Preventive care becomes an essential part of proactively finding and reducing osteoporosis and other bone density concerns. Doctors review factors such as family history, body type, hormone health, calcium, and activity levels. The results help primary care providers recommend additional bone density testing while suggesting lifestyle changes. Resistance exercise, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and osteoporosis medications ensure that bone health is maintained throughout the years. The earlier these conversations start, the better. Women can avoid future fractures and save thousands in healthcare costs.

Doctor Relationships

A long-term partnership for Women’s care is valuable for a healthy, strong family. Doctors encourage an ongoing relationship to learn the specific needs of women. Over time, primary care providers understand women's unique health needs and concerns, recommending changes that can lead to long-term benefits. Preventive care, more importantly, enables early detection of general and women-specific health concerns. These annual checkups help women take advantage of medical expertise while not waiting for a significant health event to arise before taking action.