Schedule Your Annual Check-in Now
Summer break can be a welcome change of pace if you’re a college student. Between being home, catching up with friends and family, and settling into a different routine, it can also be a practical time to take care of important health needs that are easy to put off during the school year.
For many young people, summer is an ideal time to schedule a women’s health visit. Why? Read on.
What a summer visit can cover
A women’s health visit is not just for annual exams. It is also a good time to check in on the things that may have changed over the past year or to talk through questions you have been meaning to ask.
A summer appointment may be a good time to discuss:
- well-woman care and preventive health
- recommended screenings (think cervical cancer, breast, STIs)
- birth control questions or prescription refills (still meet the need?)
- irregular periods or painful periods
- heavy bleeding
- pelvic pain
- vaginal irritation, discharge, or other symptoms
- sexual health concerns
- preconception questions
- breast concerns
- new products, such as menstrual cups
- talk about general changes in health, stress, or lifestyle
- vaccines
- mental health
For college students, even a quick visit can be helpful in making sure current medications, contraception, and preventive care needs are still working well for this stage of life.
Birth control check-ins matter
If you are using birth control, summer is a great time to make sure your method still fits your needs. Maybe things are going well and you simply need a refill. Or maybe you have noticed side effects, changes in your cycle, trouble remembering a pill, or questions about other options.
A check-in with your provider can help you review what is working, what is not, and whether a different option may make more sense moving forward.
A good time to ask questions
College often comes with a lot of new experiences, independence, and change. That can also bring new questions about women’s health and options that may not have been available just a couple of years ago. Summer visits can be a comfortable time to ask about periods, period products, sexual health, contraception, symptoms you are unsure about, or anything else that has been on your mind.
No concern is too small to bring up. Sometimes what seems minor can be worth discussing, and sometimes reassurance from our team alone can go a long way.
Care that supports this season of life
Young adulthood is a time of transition, and women’s health needs can shift right along with it. Having a trusted provider can make it easier to stay connected to care, ask questions, and make informed choices as life changes.
If you are home from college this summer, consider using the break to schedule a visit. A well-woman exam, birth control follow-up, or problem-focused visit can help you head back into the school year feeling more prepared and supported.
Why summer is a smart time to schedule
During the school year, it can be hard to find time for appointments. Class schedules, work, sports, travel, and being away from home can all make it difficult to fit in routine care. Summer often gives you a little more flexibility to take care of the things that support your long-term health and peace of mind. And keep in mind, our clinics are busy; making time for a visit now can also help avoid last-minute scrambling later, especially before returning to campus.
If you are home for the summer and would like to schedule a visit, contact your clinic or talk with your provider about the care that is right for you. Visit premierwomenshealthmn.com
This content was review by Dr. Leigh Koidahl at Southdale OBGYN and Dr. Kate Toft at OBGYN West.