When it comes to reproductive health, a little awareness goes a long way. Your body has its own way of sending signals when something’s off, and your gynecologist wants you to be paying attention.
Here are four key things to keep an eye on to help protect your health and catch potential issues early.
1. Start tracking your period — even if it’s regular.
If your cycle is like clockwork, you might not see the point in jotting down the start and end dates. And if it’s irregular? You might assume there’s no use. But in either case, tracking your period is incredibly important.
According to an interview with Dr. Christie Cobb, a board-certified OB-GYN, your period “is a helpful barometer of overall health.” Cobb told SELF on June 3 that keeping tabs on the timing, flow, and symptoms of your cycle helps establish what’s normal for you, which means any changes are easier to catch and discuss with your doctor.
You can do this by using a period-tracking app or going old-school with a notebook. According to Cobb, record the start and end dates, how heavy or light your flow was, and any unusual symptoms like cramping, spotting, or mood changes.
Sure, a late or early period now and then isn’t usually cause for concern. Stress, illness, travel — they can all throw your cycle off. But if your periods start becoming irregular, vanish altogether, or change dramatically in flow or duration, it’s time to take notice.
These shifts could point to underlying health issues like thyroid imbalances or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which can impact your hormones and fertility. Keeping a record of your menstrual changes gives your OB-GYN valuable insight to investigate further, Cobb noted.
Was your period lighter or heavier than usual this month? Did you skip one entirely? Don’t brush it off, jot it down, and bring it up at your next visit.
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