3 Reasons Why You Should NEVER Miss Your Annual

Dec 11, 2015
5 min read

It is that time of a year again. The one that we all, as women, dread. It's annual time, and if you are like me, you'll make the appointment and definitely "forget." The 'Well-Woman Exam' is an exam that every woman must undergo once they've become sexually active, and/or reach the age of either 18 years old or 21 years old (it really depends on the doctor). The exam consists of two main exams, the breast exam and the vaginal screening. The third test is strictly optional, but I HIGHLY recommended that you do get it, it's the STD exam. Having worked in a OB/GYN office, I have seen quite a lot in just the short time I was there, and surprisingly a good amount of women were caught off guard with their annual results.

The Breast Exam

The breast exam is an important component in the mix because of the fact that breast cancer does exist. Although, you should never wait once a year to get checked by just a doctor, you should actually do it once a month by yourself, especially if you are over the age of 40. Due to the chances of breast cancer developing, if you are over the age the age of 40 years old, it is highly recommended that you get a mammogram and a bone density test. Like I said earlier, you should be doing a breast exam every month; however you cannot do it at least one to two weeks before your period due to your breasts swelling for Auntie Flows, monthly visit. Anyway, when you do do the self-exam, you should follow a guide. The Following steps are provided by, www.breastcancer.org

Step 1: To start, stand in front of the mirror and look at your breasts with your arms to your sides and then again with your hands on your hips. Make sure to take note of the following:

Size, shape, and color
Evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling

Changes that you should report to your doctor:

Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: Look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: "Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast.

You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage."

Step 5: Finally, while you are in the shower, lift one arm and check your breasts with the same motion as Step 4. According to Breastcancer.org, "many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower."

The Pelvic Exam

The pelvic exam, or the pap smear, is probably the worst part of the entire visit but is also the most important. Reason being, it is very common to assume you are fine and in reality, you aren't. I can say this from personal experience. I've been going to the gyno since I was 16 years old. After my daughter was born, I went one more time for my annual and never actually continued going. Worst mistake. My daughter is now three years old and I finally got off my ass and went to get an annual. To my surprise I was told that my pap came back low-grade, which meant I had pre-cancerous cells on my cervix. Scary right? And to make it worse, I have no idea how long I've had per-cancerous cells and I had to go get a colposcopy and soon I need to get a cryosurgery to freeze the cells off. So obviously, I don't really need to say more why the pelvic exam is important.

The exam consists of a visual of the outside of the vagina, as well as the vaginal walls and the cervix to see any obvious abnormalities, such as STDS, bleeding or odd discharge. Then, the doctor will insert a pipette and scrape the walls and opening of the cervix. It is a bit uncomfortable, but definitely not painful.

The Optional Part

The only part of the exam that is optional is an STD screening. The pap smear doesn't screen for any STD's only cervical abnormalities. I know, it is shameful to think that there is a possibility of you might have an STD, and there's just no possible that way you could because he or she loves you and only you. But some STD's can just creep up on you, even if you haven't had sex (HPV for example). I strongly believe and urge that everyone should get tested AT LEAST once a year, because you really never know. I've met pregnant women who get an annual at the first visit and they have an STD and have to be treated during pregnancy or have to wait until after birth. A sexually active woman should be responsible and get this test done, not only for themselves but for everyone around them. You don't want to unknowingly have some oral STD and you go kiss your child and now your child might have an STD. It's a serious thing that everyone needs to be aware of, so keep in mind the next time you have an annual to request one if you are not asked.

Needless to say, I have learned my lesson to never skip the oh so special time of the year! Also, there is a reason most insurances cover the exam 100%, it's considered preventive care and I strongly urge you don't skip out! It's literally a five minute procedure, and as we say in the medical field, just close your eyes and breathe deeply, it'll all be over soon!