Annual appointments are very important. It's a time for us to talk about their medical history, changes they've had in the past year, and then we can talk about their reproductive plans, symptoms of menopause that often get overlooked.
Annual visits may either diagnose a problem that is present without symptoms or prevent disease in the future.
I always ask about their menstrual history. Any issues with menses, any abnormal bleeding? We ask a lot about preventive medicine, like their most recent pap smears, mammograms for breast cancer screening, bone health. It's really helpful to know their medical history, keeping up to date with it every year. And then we have a relationship if any issues arise in the future.
For more information, go to CHISaintJosephHealth.org. I'm Beverly Herbert.