Have you ever wondered which doctors you should be seeing annually?
Earlier this spring, I realized that I was squinting even with my glasses on. Come to think of it, I hadn't gone to the eye doctor to get my prescription checked in over a year. I went and of course, I had to get a new pair of glasses. I can see much better now.
Health is extremely important to everyday life. How you feel physically, sometimes can make or break your day. It is imperative to stay on top of our health as much as we can, because our bodies will thank us for it.
Specifically, there are about a handful of doctors every woman should visit every year. These are the appointments I make sure are on my checklist.
Primary Care Physician
The primary care physician is your family doctor. You should see them at least once a year. This is where you come for the basics of your health. The PCP is also important because they are the ones who can refer you to a specialist for any other concerns you might have. This is where your medical history will be kept and you can ask all your general health questions here.
Eye Doctor
The eye doctor is important to visit every 1-2 years. If you need glasses there’s no question about visiting once a year. It’s important to know if your prescription has changed, because if it has, you must change your lenses. Wearing the wrong prescription can make your eyesight worse. Keeping your eyes healthy is self-explanatory. You need to see.
Dentist
Going to the dentist should be a must every 6 months. Getting your teeth cleaned twice a year is necessary, so that no other problems develop. Teeth are a finicky thing and if they are not healthy, unfortunately, they can develop other health issues in your body. Dentists check for cavities, gum disease, wisdom teeth, and anything else that might be an issue.
Gynecologist/Obstetrician
For women’s health it is important to see a gynecologist about once a year. A gynecologist deals with everything for women’s physical health. This is where you would get your pap smear or breast exam. If you had problems down there, you can check with them. In some ways they are like a PCP, specializing in women’s health.
Then there are gynecologists that are also obstetricians. We call them OB/GYN. If you are trying to have children, it’s important to have a gynecologist that is also an obstetrician. Obstetricians are pretty much the same thing as a gynecologist, but with the added specialization of pregnancy and childbirth. They help you go through this process.
Other Specialists
Usually, to see other specialists you need a referral from your primary care physician. For example, that could be a dermatologist, an endocrinologist, etc. Speaking of these two examples, I think as a woman it is important to visit these two specialists, depending on your needs once a year.
A dermatologist is a skin doctor. A dermatologist helps with acne problems or other skin issues. They can help prevent problems before they get there, such as skin cancer. Dermatologists are important in helping maintain your skin's health. If you observe changes in your skin and you aren’t sure what it is, you should visit a dermatologist.
An endocrinologist is a hormone specialist. They deal with hormonal issues, irregular periods, the pituitary gland in the brain (which is connected to hormones), and things like polycystic ovarian syndrome. They are just as necessary as an OB/GYN, as they take a more detailed approach to find the root cause of the issues you may be having. Most women don't think of this one, but an endocrinologist is an important doctor to have in your roster.
Well that's all ladies! I trust that was helpful.