Health Promotion Recommendations

Women's Health

The Thin Prep Pap Smear has replaced the older, conventional method of obtaining a Pap smear. With the new method, not only can we test for early signs of cervical cancer, we can also check for the HPV virus, the virus that can cause healthy cervical cells into precancerous ones. It also allows us to check for infections such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Eighty-percent of women are exposed to the HPV virus before age 30. Of these women, over 85 to 90% of them will clear the virus with the help of their immune systems. Annual screening of all women will make sure we “catch” the other 10-15% who do not clear the virus from the cervix, thus helping us prevent and/or treat abnormal cervical cells early.

You must be sure you are using an effective contraception technique. We can discuss these options with you. If you have teenagers, you need to discuss this with them to avoid major disasters. They are often too young and immature to properly prevent unwanted pregnancies

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is controversial. In general, we recommend it in the peri-menopausal years and possibly for the long-term. HRT may have multiple beneficial effects on heart attack risk, stroke risk, bone thinning and even Alzheimer's disease. You may discuss this with your doctor to be sure you are making the best decision about hormone replacement therapy.

Menopausal and post-menopausal females should have a Bone Density Scan to screen for bone thinning (osteoporosis). This disease can be reversed and treated easily if it is discovered at an early stage. Our office has a heel bone density machine. Call our nurse to set this test up. If the test is normal, we can repeat it in 2-3 years. If it is significantly abnormal, we will do a complete bone density test at the hospital.

Women should take calcium and Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis (bone thinning). Risk factors for osteoporosis are:

You need 1000-1500 mg of calcium and 400-800 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. Most adults get approximately 500 mg of calcium per day in their diet. Estimate the amount of calcium in your diet and make up the difference with vitamin supplements. To make your bones stronger, you should do weight bearing exercise such as walking.

You should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases if you are sexually active and have had more than one partner. This is especially true if you are in the age range of 15-30 years old. This includes screening for human papilloma virus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. These germs can affect your fertility and can cause some cancers .