Many women, especially older generations, have been told pain, discomfort, and inconvenience are their fate, and it's just not true. You do not have to suffer.
Carlye Atkinson, MSN, CNM“We hear so many myths and misunderstandings that result in people suffering needlessly,” says Carlye Atkinson, MSN, CNM, a certified midwife who provides gynecological care at Cheshire Medical Center.
“Some patients didn’t visit because they thought pain during sex is normal or didn’t think they needed pelvic exams after a hysterectomy. Some don’t know most insurance companies cover annual exams with our department, so they don’t take advantage of that—or seek care at all.”
Cheshire’s Obstetrics and Gynecology team includes 5 doctors, 7 midwives, and 3 nurse practitioners who cover the full scope of women’s healthcare from the time someone gets their period, through menopause, until end-of-life. These providers specialize in the hormonal, sexual, reproductive, and pelvic health of anyone with female sex organs—especially preventative care.
“Many women, especially older generations, have been told pain, discomfort, and inconvenience are their fate, and it's just not true,” Atkins says. “So please, come and see us. You do not have to suffer.”
Below, Atkinson answers some important questions about gynecological care.
How often should someone with a vagina have a gynecological exam?
Every year, once your period begins. If under the age of 18, this may continue to be with a pediatrician if you prefer. Even if your uterus and ovaries have been removed, you are no longer sexually active, or you do not identify as a woman, the preventative care involved in gynecological or “well-person” exams is important to your overall health.
These visits do not always include a physical pelvic exam but always involve an assessment and evaluation of gynecologic health and possible symptoms.
Of course, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, please make an appointment with the OB/GYN team. You do not have to wait for an annual exam.
What symptoms should I discuss with an OB/GYN provider?
You should seek OB/GYN care if you experience any of the following:
If you experience sexual or violent assault
Medical care after an assault is essential to your health and safety. Our Medical Forensic Care Team, including OB/GYN providers, will offer you trauma-informed care in our Emergency, OB/GYN and Primary Care departments. Just ask your provider.
- Abnormal abdominal pain.
- Bleeding in between periods, after menopause, or while pregnant
- Difficulty becoming pregnant.
- Difficulty orgasming.
- Incontinence or needing to pee often.
- Low libido.
- Recurring vaginal infections,
- Recurring urinary tract infections (also see Urology).
- Pain during sex.
- Painful periods.
- Pelvic organ prolapse.
- Urinary or fecal leakage.
- Vaginal infection symptoms: Itching, burning, swelling, redness, soreness, lumps, sores, unusual discharge.
- Vaginal dryness or pain.
Will my insurance cover an annual gynecological exam and a primary care physical exam?
Usually, yes. These annual exams from OB/GYN specialists, often referred to as “women’s health exams,” “well-person visits,” or “gynecological exams” are considered preventative care by most insurance companies.
A comprehensive physical exam from your primary care provider (PCP) is different, even though many PCPs will ask some overlapping questions and offer PAP cervical cancer screenings as recommended. Most insurance companies cover both.
Your PCP needs to track every aspect of your overall health and well-being during a short visit each year. Allow your OB/GYN provider to focus on your hormonal, sexual, reproductive, and pelvic health.
Call the number on the back of your insurance card to ask.
“After 30, PAP cervical cancer screenings are only recommended every 5 years if your results are normal,” Atkinson says. “You may miss some very important conversations if you only address your pelvic health once every 5 years.”
Do I need gynecological exams if I will not have (more or any) children?
Yes. The term “reproductive health” can be misleading because your gynecologic and pelvic health is best addressed by a specialist whether or not you plan to or can become pregnant. Even if you are not sexually active, exams are important to prevent or catch other conditions.
“For example, women just past childbearing years are more at risk for fibroids, which are treatable,” Atkinson says. “So, always ask about pelvic pain. Also, if you have a cervix, periodic cervical cancer screenings are recommended until you’re 65.”
Do I need gynecological exams if my uterus has been removed?
Yes. You may still need to address hormonal changes, dryness, pain, or pelvic prolapse, which should not be considered normal parts of aging and can all be treated. Also, if your uterus has been removed but any part of your cervix is intact, periodic cervical cancer screening is necessary until you are 65.
Should I make an appointment for incontinence?
Yes. Whether after childbirth or as you grow older, incontinence is not normal, necessary, or something you have to suffer—no matter what the commercials say. Incontinence, like most urinary issues, is medically treatable. The answer is often physical therapy, bladder training, or a pessary (a medical device).
Isn’t pelvic pain normal?
No. While some people experience some cramping during their period, pain is often not normal or necessary to suffer. Many treatable conditions cause pelvic pain, and sometimes it can be a sign of something that needs treating right away, such as an acute infection like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
To schedule an appointment, call 603-554-6640, or existing patients can request an appointment with their OB/GYN provider via myDH.