5 Things Your Gyno Wants You To Take Seriously - Page 4

4. Make your annual gyno visit non-negotiable — even if you don’t need a pap smear.

Just because you’re not due for a pap smear or HPV test doesn’t mean you should skip your annual appointment with your gynecologist. Think of it like a routine tune-up for your reproductive health.

“Cancer screenings like Paps and mammograms are just one component of the exam. It’s also important to have a yearly pelvic exam and breast exam, which is how we can detect things like fibroids and ovarian cysts,” Allison Hill, MD, a gynecologist in Los Angeles, told WebMD in 2016.

Your doctor will also check in on any changes to your menstrual cycle, birth control effectiveness, and lifestyle factors like weight changes, smoking, and stress levels. Regular visits create a baseline that helps your provider catch subtle changes over time, which can be key to staying healthy.

Even if everything feels fine, don’t ghost your gyno. Book the appointment, ask questions, and take that hour a year to prioritize yourself.