The internet is endowed with loads of helpful information, but then that doesn’t rule out the fact that some misleading information also finds their way on to the web. One critical field that’s rocked with this problem is the health sector.
If you’ve planned to visit a women’s clinic, this is an essential read for you. Read along as we debunk five of the most popular myths.
Myth: It is only Necessary to Visit a Gynaecologist When Expectant
A women’s health clinic isn’t only for pregnant women. If you’re a woman, you should continue visiting your gynaecologist for the whole of your life.
Here’s why; as you grow, a lot of changes take place in your life and some cases; you may need an expert to help you understand why some things happen and how you can protect yourself against adverse side effects that may come with the changes.
A perfect example is hormonal changes, especially when you approach menopause. During this phase, for example, most women experience vaginal dryness which is mainly due to a drop in the oestrogen hormone levels in their system.
On the flip side, there’s also the stage where you start to be sexually active. Women who are sexually active should all the more visit a gynaecologist regularly to check for the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and early prevention just ensures your sexual and reproductive wellbeing.
When you visit a women’s clinic when you experience vaginal dryness that probably comes with pain during sex, they will examine you and recommend medications that can help you deal with the issue. For instance, they may recommend the use of lubricants or a vaginal oestrogen to improve your quality of life. A gynaecologist will also screen you for conditions that affect women, for example, ovarian cancers and recommend appropriate precautions if you are at risk.
Myth: You must be 21 to Start Visiting a Women’s Health Clinic
Medical health experts recommend that if you identify yourself as a female, you begin your OB/GYNs appointments from as early as 13 years. Now, when you’re this young, the pelvic exams may not be necessary.
However, starting the visits early will help you build an understanding with your female health expert, so you feel at ease talking about sensitive issues like STIs, periods and birth control options, among others. It will also help you get comprehensive sexual and female health education so you can make constructive decisions on matters concerning your sexual or general health as a woman.
Myth: Visiting a Women’s Health Clinic isn’t Necessary if I’ve settled down with a Long Term Partner and Stopped Having Children
For some people, having their preferred number of children and a trusting long term partner is the ultimate goal in life. Well, that could be wrong, health-wise.
If you’re a woman, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve stopped having children or settled down with a long term partner. You will still need continuous visits to your gynaecologist’s clinic to have screening for most forms of cancer affecting women such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer etc. Remember — cancers don’t discriminate; they can hit you at any age. Thus, it’s better to always be over-prepared. You want to have a long and healthy life ahead, regardless of whether you have children or not!
Myth: Using Birth Control for Long will affect your Fertility
Your gynaecologist in Singapore may recommend birth control if you want to avoid getting pregnant for some time. Using birth control is arguably the most foolproof way you can avoid unwanted pregnancies. Now, birth control, for example, the pills and IUDs are only valid for the periods you’re using them. Once you’re done using specific birth control, your fertility shouldn’t decrease. Your gynaecologist will communicate with you as to when you can expect getting pregnant.
Myth: You will get Cervical Cancer if Diagnosed with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
It is important to acknowledge that HPV cells are usually present in almost every cervical cancer case. However, this doesn’t mean that you will ultimately develop cervical cancer if you’re diagnosed with this infection.
In most cases, if you visit your women’s health clinic for the routine Pap tests and HPV screening, they will help you catch HPV at the precancerous stages when treating it is easy. Usually, early treatment is your best way of beating cervical cancer.
The general recommendation is that all women over 25 who have ever had sex should do a Pap test once every three years, or an HPV test once every five years. Even if you have been vaccinated when you were younger, it’s still recommended that you go for cervical cancer screening regularly as the vaccine only protects against 70 to 90 per cent of HPV strains.
So, what will I benefit from a Gynaecologist?
Seeing a gynaecologist in Singapore regularly will help you overcome the feeling of awkwardness that you may have experienced on your first visit. Here’s what may happen when you visit a women’s health clinic;
Your clinician may ask for your urine sample and/or blood sample. Usually, they may ask for this depending on your sexual or medical history. A blood sample may be necessary for testing STDs like HIV, Chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea.
Physical exam. The gynaecologist may also check your breasts to see if there are any lumps or abnormal discharge from the nipples. They may also inquire if you’ve experienced pain and show you how you can do the self-breast exams if you hadn’t started them.
The doctor will also take measurements for common indicators of your body. For instance, they may check your blood pressure and body weight, among others.
It is natural to feel uncomfortable on the first appointment to a women’s clinic. If you feel that you may need someone; a close friend or family member to be around, be sure to ask them to accompany you to the appointment.
Find all your pregnancy questions answered on PK Women’s Clinic’s complete pregnancy guide on https://www.pkwomensclinic.com/a-gynaecologists-complete-guide-to-pregnancy-in-singapore-2020/
