Protect Your Health by Visiting Your OB/GYN Regularly

Cancer doesn't run in your family, so you've made it a point to go to the gynecologist only when it's absolutely necessary. This can be hazardous to any woman's health. Young women are probably the worst at making and keeping their yearly pap smear appointments. But, young women are the people who should be the most conscientious about seeing the doctor on a yearly basis.

When I was 21 years old, I was having some symptoms that I did not understand. I had severe constipation that would not go away with any change in my diet or over the counter medications. I also had heavy menstrual cycles and very painful cramps each month. I had gained about 15 pounds and most of that was in my abdominal area. Many of my friends had similar symptoms, so I figured these things were normal.

Eventually I decided it was time to go to the doctor. After an exam and several tests to determine what was wrong, I was told that I had an ovarian cyst. It was about 32 cm in diameter which was one of the largest cysts my doctor said he had ever seen. I saw a specialist who performed surgery which cost me one of my ovaries. I was very lucky that it did not cost me my entire reproductive system. I also had terrible endometriosis which was removed during surgery as well. If I had just made it a point to see my doctor on a regular basis, I may have been able to prevent the damage to my reproductive organs.

Here are some things that women of all ages should do when it comes to their health.

Know Your Family History - It turned out that my mother's side of the family had a history of endometriosis and ovarian cysts. No one in my family had ever had any reproductive cancers, so none of us really thought about the importance of getting yearly check ups starting at a young age. The reality is that most women produce cysts around the time of ovulation and sometimes these cysts can become dangerous to a woman's reproductive organs. This makes it all the more important to get a yearly exam. Your doctor can check each year to make sure they do not feel abnormal masses in your pelvic area.