Our Top 10 Women’s Health Preventative Health Care Tips
We want all of our patients to live longer, healthier lives. A big part of that is taking a proactive approach to your health, so you can stop any issues before they develop into serious problems.
That’s why we’re here to help. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 women’s health preventative healthcare tips below to help guide you toward a healthier life:
1. Get regular cancer screenings.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the United States. Early detection and treatment of cancer can save lives, discovering cancer when it is most treatable and beatable.
We recommend that you get regular screenings for cervical cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and any other type of cancer that runs in your family history.
2. Keep up-to-date on vaccinations.
Vaccinations can help protect you from a variety of diseases, including HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and COVID-19. There are also vaccinations you may need during pregnancy. In addition, we highly recommend getting the HPV vaccine, flu vaccine, and, depending on your age, the shingles vaccine.
3. Ensure you’re getting enough calcium and Vitamin D
We believe one of our important women’s health preventative healthcare tips centers around avoiding diseases such as osteoporosis. Women who have entered menopause are at greater risk for developing this disease, which causes brittle bones.
Calcium and Vitamin D are important for bone health, and that’s why you should get enough in your diet or through supplements to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. Speak to us if you’re not sure how much calcium and Vitamin D you need.
4. Keep your heart healthy.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. The good news is that you can dramatically reduce your risk by following a few simple steps:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also important to limit unhealthy fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.
- Exercise regularly. This is an important part of our women’s health preventative healthcare tips because exercise is great for your heart.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease. Aim for a healthy weight for your height and body type—you can discover that number by checking out your body mass index with this handy BMI calculator.
- Get regular checkups. See your doctor for regular checkups to monitor your heart health and make sure you are taking all the necessary steps to keep your heart healthy. This includes monitoring your cholesterol levels.
5. Take precautions to prevent STDs.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can have serious consequences that can include infertility. In certain cases, these diseases may not even have any symptoms—which means you or your partner can spread them without being aware that you are infected.
As a vital women’s health preventative healthcare tips, you should reduce your risk of STDs by practicing safe sex and having regular STD testing.
6. Stop smoking, if you smoke.
Smoking increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. If you smoke and are having trouble quitting, there are several smoking cessation resources available to you including our healthcare team. Just let us know you’re ready to stop smoking and we can help point you in the right direction.
7. Have a regular wellness exam.
A regular wellness exam can help detect health problems early. We encourage you to have a physical every year and come to us whenever you have any health concerns. If you have issues with your period or menopause, or even if you’re planning on having a child, we want to see you so we can work with you to ensure you understand our women’s health preventative healthcare tips.
Are you past due for your Pap smear or yearly physical? Simply contact us to schedule an appointment.
8. Get plenty of exercises
This is a women’s health preventative healthcare tip that is vital for your well-being. Exercise is important because it can reduce your chances of developing more serious health problems. That’s why we suggest either getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of more intense exercise every week.
Pregnant? Talk to us and we’ll provide information about safe and effective exercises for you.
9. Only drink alcohol in moderation
Alcohol can be harmful to your health if you drink to excess. We suggest limiting it to to one drink a day.
Of course, if you’re pregnant, realize that there is no “safe” level of alcohol—you should avoid drinking entirely to reduce complications. We also recommend that you abstain if you’re actively trying to get pregnant.
10. Take care of your mental health.
Mental health may not be the first thing you think of when reviewing women’s health preventative healthcare tips, but it’s just as important as your physical health. Please talk to us if you have any mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression—particularly postpartum depression.
Chapel Hill OBGYN: On Your Side Through Your Healthcare Journey
While this concludes our top ten women’s health preventative healthcare tips, it does not include the many ways we work with our patients through each stage of life. We work closely with couples who are facing the emotional and physical challenges of infertility.
We help women ranging from those who have reached menopause to young women who are having their first OBGYN exam.
It’s important for you to know that we were here for you, and we pledge to always take time to answer your questions.
Ready to schedule an appointment? See why we’re frequently chosen as the best OBGYN practice in Chapel Hill and Durham.
