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6 Things You Can Do at the Gynecologist’s Office That Aren't Pap Smears

Your OBGYN can talk to you about much more than your sexual and reproductive health.

Updated on August 23, 2023

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Your checklist for what to discuss at your annual gyno checkup may include Pap smears, human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, mammograms, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, pregnancy planning, menopause treatments, and UTIs. But the conversation can be about more than your sexual and reproductive health. Your OBGYN can provide information and advice on many wellness topics, including heart health, weight control and osteoporosis.

If you’ve got an appointment coming up, get your cheat sheet ready. Here are six topics that you—or your healthcare provider (HCP)—might want to discuss.

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Cancer screenings

A typical Pap smear, which is recommended every 3 to 5 years, depending on your age and risk, can detect cervical cancer. But your OBGYN can also discuss breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer, especially if you have a family history of these diseases.

If you’re having any bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or urinary issues such as incontinence, especially for more than 12 days each month, discuss your concerns with your OBGYN. Although there could be many reasons for these symptoms, your HCP may recommend an ultrasound and blood work to check for markers of ovarian cancer.

Symptoms of endometrial cancer, meanwhile, include unusual vaginal discharge, spotting between periods (or after you’ve gone through menopause), pelvic pain or unexplained weight loss. If you feel a mass in your pelvic region, that may indicate an issue, too. Discuss these with your OBGYN to see if you should be checked for cancer.

If symptoms warrant a closer look, an ultrasound (either pelvic or transvaginal) may be recommended to get a closer look at the uterus. Further testing like a hysteroscopy, biopsy or a dilation and curettage (D&C) may be needed to remove endometrial tissue for examination and testing.

If you are at average risk for breast cancer, your OBGYN should start discussing screening options with you when you reach age 40, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This is an ongoing conversation you should continue at your annual wellness visits. Your OBGYN can go over your personal risk and the screening options available, along with their benefits and potential risks.

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Weight management

A weight check is considered routine at each and every OBGYN appointment—though you can ask your HCP not to weigh you if that’s your preference. Dr. Shelton says your OBGYN is likely to start a conversation about healthy eating and how to make sure you are incorporating plenty of physical activity in your day. (Though the body mass index, or BMI, is considered a flawed measurement that doesn’t take into account muscle mass, bone density, race, or gender, your HCP may bring it up to give you an idea of where you fit in the spectrum from underweight to obesity.)

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High blood pressure concerns

It’s standard for your OBGYN to take a blood-pressure reading at your checkup—it’s also fairly common for people to be anxious while sitting in an HCP’s office, and those nerves may result in somewhat higher numbers. If that’s the case, your OBGYN may suggest you see your primary care provider for follow up or that you start tracking your blood pressure at home. Ask your HCP about information about how to get an accurate measure.

If your OBGYN suspects you might have high blood pressure, she may recommend lifestyle changes to help control your numbers, including:

  • Limiting alcohol
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking
  • Following a heart-healthy, low-sodium diet like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
  • Managing stress levels

Medications may also be recommended in combination with these healthy lifestyle habits. Your OBGYN can discuss options with you.

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Chronic disease check-in

It’s always helpful to let your OBGYN know about any chronic conditions you have—such as diabetes, asthma or mental health disorders— but this is especially crucial if you’re planning to become pregnant. The information gathered by your HCP can help guide treatment or management recommendations.

Whether you’re on a treatment plan already or you’re looking to start one, Shelton says you’ll want to get these conditions under control if you are planning to become pregnant.

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Smoking cessation help

If you are interested in quitting smoking—especially if you’re planning to become pregnant—you can seek help from your OBGYN.

“We can prescribe nicotine replacement or other medications that can help someone quit, and we can also discuss other tactics for quitting,” says Shelton.

If you do smoke, your OBGYN will go over all the reasons you should quit, which include lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease and—for those who are pregnant—decreasing the chances of premature birth and many other complications.

From there, you and your OBGYN will discuss your options. Some people are able to quit smoking immediately, while others may need to take more time to contemplate why and when they want to quit and to identify their smoking triggers.

Your OBGYN can discuss a realistic plan with you, refer you to smoking cessation programs, and suggest products and medications, including some antidepressants, that can help minimize cravings.

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Bone health advice

Osteoporosis—the thinning and weakening of bones—is five times more common in women than in men, and the risk increases with age. That means those assigned female at birth may need to be especially aware of their bone health.

If you’re concerned, you can talk to your OBGYN about calcium and vitamin D supplements, or your HCP can order bone mineral density tests to look for signs of osteoporosis, says Shelton.

It’s recommended that all people assigned female at birth who are 65 years and older have a bone mineral density test. And if you’re younger than 65 but have had a bone fracture or an increased risk of osteoporosis, you should have a bone mineral density test, too.

Those age 64 or younger who are at increased risk for osteoporosis (such as having gone through early menopause) should ask their HCP if they need a bone density test, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). People assigned male at birth can get osteoporosis, too, and should talk with their HCP if they are over age 65 and have concerns about bone strength.

However, you can talk with your HCP about improving the health of your bones, no matter what your age. It’s especially important to do so if you are approaching menopause, since the ovaries produce less of the hormone estrogen during the time, and that can lead to bone loss. Those in menopause should be aware that osteoporosis can increase the risk of frequent fractures. The condition can also cause a slight curving of the spine or decreased height.

Activities such as strength training, walking, yoga and tai chi can all help improve the strength of your bones, as well as your balance and posture. Foods can also help. Make sure you’re eating calcium-rich foods like leafy greens (think kale), low-fat dairy such as yogurt, and fish such as salmon and sardines.

If your HCP finds thinning bones during bone density testing, they may recommend lifestyle treatments, or medications to reduce the risk of fractures.

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Your OBGYN is there to help you

Shelton wants you to know that regardless of what conditions you’re concerned about, your OBGYN is there to help. Keeping track of your overall health is a key part of their care for you. “And if we feel that a topic is outside of our scope of practice, we will refer you to another provider,” she says.

“I frequently have patients with low back pain who I refer to physical therapy,” Shelton says. “I also have patients who have concerns about their mood, who I evaluate and refer to counseling or, if the issues are more complex, to psychiatry.”

Bottom line: If you have any concerns at all about any aspect of your health, remember that your OBGYN is an excellent resource. If they don’t know the answer, they can refer you to someone who does.

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Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Get a Bone Density Test. Last updated July 14, 2022.

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