Women’s Wellness
...in Your 20’s
For a woman in her twenties, establishing a relationship with a gynecologist can help her build a foundation for lifelong reproductive health and wellness.
These visits provide an opportunity for women to ask questions and discuss any concerns they may have about their reproductive health, and can help identify and address potential health issues early on.
We can provide guidance on birth control options and help women develop healthy habits for reproductive and overall health.
By age 20, every woman should be seeing a women’s health specialist whether she is sexually active or not.
At your visit, our specialist will perform a general physical examination, as well as a well-woman exam. There are four main aspects of a well-woman annual examination:
- external examination
- internal pelvic examination
- a Pap smear test (cervical cancer screening), performed during the pelvic exam
- bimanual examination
Your doctor will also perform a breast examination and teach you how to perform a self-breast examination.
At age 21, we recommend that women have their first Pap test.
During the pelvic exam, a pap test is performed to screen for cervical cancer and, if indicated or desired, screening for sexually transmitted infections (STD) is performed.
These exams can detect early warning signs of problems and can help prevent complications later in life.
By now, every woman should begin taking a multivitamin to replenish iron and increase her vitamin D and calcium.
Women tend to be low in iron because they lose blood during their cycles. Bone growth and calcium thickness is greatest during the early 20’s, which is why it is so important to get adequate calcium and vitamin D in your diet.
Start paying attention to your bone health now. You need to be thinking about your bone health throughout your entire adult life and not wait until your elderly years.
Young adults typically reach their peak bone mass in their 20’s. Both men and women then start to lose that bone density steadily over the years that follow.
RECOMMENED Daily dose:
- Vitamin D 2500-5000 I.U.
- Calcium (Ca+) 1250 mg
Avoid bad habits that will accelerate bone loss, like drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
Most of our patients in this age group are interested in pregnancy prevention or becoming pregnant. At the annual visit, we’ll talk about contraception options, fertility options, preconception counseling, and what may work best for them in their lifestyle and stage of life.
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In your 20’s, regular visits can help monitor and manage reproductive health issues.
- Contraception
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Pre-Pregnancy Counseling
- Management of Problematic Menstrual Cycles
We hope that your choice is County Obstetrics and Gynecology. At County Obstetrics & Gynecology, our staff is dedicated to making every patient feel comfortable and secure. We want your visit to the office to be a positive experience.