PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — May is Women’s Health Month, a time to bring awareness to the importance of annual screenings and the need for women to prioritize their health.
“Women are most often the caretakers for their families. While they pay attention to the health needs of their children, their significant others, or their elderly parents, they often neglect their health and their needs,” says Behnoosh Dashti, MD, one of the providers in Northern Light Women’s Health Center. “This can often be the case for annual screenings in particular, since they aren’t feeling sick like they would be for an acute visit.”
Getting your annual checkup with your provider as well as having preventive health screenings on the recommended schedule for your age is very important, according to Dr. Dashti. Early detection, before you may even notice any symptoms, is key for the best treatment outcomes.
So, what are some of these essential screenings and when should you get them?
Women who are at average risk for cervical cancer should start having a Pap smear at age 21 and have one every three years until age 30. At age 30 and older, a Pap smear is performed along with HPV testing. If negative, the next test is in five years for average risk women.
For mammograms, women should start receiving them at age 40 unless otherwise directed by their provider, then continue to get one annually after that. Women who are due for a mammogram are invited to try Northern Light Health’s self-scheduling service at NorthernLightHealth.org/ScheduleAMammogram.
There are a number of conditions that affect women more than men, or present differently in women than in men. Two common examples of this are osteoporosis and heart disease, according to Danielle Agrella, APRN, AGPCNPP-BC, WHNP-BC, a women’s health nurse practitioner in the practice.
“Over 80 percent of osteoporosis cases in the United States are women, and approximately one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone because of this. Osteoporosis weakens your bones. It is much more likely in women due to the hormone changes that happen at menopause,” Agrella says.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States. After menopause, women are at a higher risk of developing health concerns such as high blood pressure, that lead to coronary heart disease. “Since women often have symptoms that seem unrelated to a heart attack, such as nausea and brief pain in the neck or back, it can be harder to understand what is happening,” she explains.
Other common health concerns for women include stroke, diabetes, maternal health issues, urinary tract infections and HPV.
Overall, the top advice that both Dr. Dashti and Agrella have for women is to take time for themselves and prioritize their own health.
“While it is great to take care of your family’s needs, your own needs are just as important,” Dr. Dashti says. “If you don’t do it for you, do it for them. After all, who will be there to take care of them if you are no longer able to.”
Women who do not have a primary care provider should get one to help them keep on top of their health. Both providers in the Women’s Health Center are accepting new patients. The practice is located within Northern Light AR Gould Hospital.
