Recently the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed their guidelines on breast health and mammograms, and they also had a few fine things to say about pap smears and other routine tests that are paramount to women’s health issues. This happened to catch my eye as I’ve had my own personal scare when it comes to cervical cancer. So I thought it would be a good time to share both their guidelines as well as some observation’s based on personal experience to help you decide how to manage your personal health issues.

First off, it is important to have your first Pap smear by the age of 21 with a follow up every other year until 30. Until recently, the next course of treatment stated that a yearly pap should be the norm. However, the new guidelines are suggesting that if a woman has had 3 consecutive clean pap smears after the age of 30, then it is within reason to wait another three years between tests. This assumes the woman is either not sexually active or has only one partner.

Now my own personal opinion on this women’s health issue is that risk factors should also play a significant part in this decision. If there is any reason to believe pre-cancerous or cancerous cells may appear, then theoretically this killer disease could grow undetected between such spaced out exams. In my instance, for example, since I’ve had an abnormal pap and a resulting procedure to eliminate pre-cancerous cells, I would demand a yearly pap regardless of any new guidelines set by either insurance or the government. I would also assume that if you have a family history or fall in any other high risk category, for example smoking or multiple partners, then having an annual pap should be your norm.

Other women’s health issues you should be aware of and tests you should be routinely participating in include;

• High cholesterol: Women over 20 should have an initial blood test to evaluate their cholesterol and risk of heart disease. If your LDL, or bad cholesterol is more than 130, you should be repeating this test annually. If your LDL is 130 or lower than it is acceptable to space subsequent testing at every 5 years.

• Thyroid: As we age our thyroid issues move up the list of women’s health issues. An underactive thyroid can cause weight gain while an overactive thyroid can signal the presence of an auto immune disease, therefore it is very important to routinely test your thyroid. Rule of thumb; every two years if you are over 35 and show symptoms. Did you know that dry skin can be caused by a low thyroid?

• Blood pressure: An easy indicator of heart disease and kidney failure, your blood pressure should be checked at least once every two years if you have normal readings and at least once a year for consistently abnormal readings. Click here for more information on heart disease in women. 
• Yearly trips to your obstetrician or gynecologist are very important for all types of women’s health issues, including breast health and cervical checkups. Whether you are going for your yearly, routine tests or for things such as yeast infections, make sure you talk to your doctor to determine what type of testing schedule, intervals and procedures that are right for you and your personal women’s health issues.