It is always a great idea to be well acquainted with your reproductive health. It is even more important if you are a womxn in your early 20’s because you are able to essentially “learn” your body. Unsurprisingly, your body changes a lot. You are growing. It will happen beautifully and rapidly.
This post will help you become familiar with ways that you can prevent or mitigate potential reproductive health risks. Moreover, I hope it motivates you to grow a curiosity for your body and its physical changes. To embrace the changes while staying in tune with the potential health risks that may come with it.
Breast cancer exam
Last year I shared this reel on how to conduct a self-exam on your breasts. It received over 13 thousand views and a lot of feedback. I would recommend that you start there if you are looking to do a self-breast exam.
Do it often- every month, a week after your period when your breasts are less tender. The goal is not to be paranoid about breast cancer, rather, to be familiar with how your ‘normal’ breast tissue feels. This makes it easier to identify inconsistencies if anything changes. It can be as quick as raising your hands above your head and massaging your breast after you shower or as complex as laying on your back for the same procedure. Or even going to get a mammogram if you suspect something is off. I have personally never gotten a mammogram, but I have had a professional breast-exam done. So you could ask your gynecologist or primary physician to perform this.
Pap Smear & HPV Vaccine
A pap smear is an exam to collect cells and test for precancerous or cancerous cells in your cervix. I had a pap smear in college. The cells are tested for abnormal growth. It is recommended for womxn of ages 21-65, every 3 years. This recommendation applies to womxn who have a cervix. Womxn who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix and no history of cervical cancer do not need screening.
Resource:
The HPV vaccine on the other hand is meant to prevent the development of cancerous cells in the cervix. HPV stands for human papillomavirus and it is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts if left untreated. Having HPV increases your risk of developing cervical cancer. The vaccine is administered in two doses and I personally found it painless.
Resource: CDC HPV Fact Sheet
STD/STI Check
STIs are caused by infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact. For anyone who is sexually active, it is a good idea to make these routine. Furthermore, if you suspect that you have an infection, seek care because some of these infections can cause serious health problems. Common infections include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Genital Warts, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis, Hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.
Additional:
Birth control counseling. Choosing a birth control method is a personal decision based on many factors, including birth control effectiveness, lifestyle, and personal choice. You can consult with your gynecologist on how to go about this.
Informative!
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful