Over 40,000 women die from breast cancer each year in the US. Another 12,000 will die from ovarian cancer. Statistics like these remind us how important it is to practice good gynecological health.

However, there’s a lot about gynecological health that isn’t discussed much, largely because of the stigma attached to women’s health. One question that doesn’t get answered enough is how often should I visit my gynecologist.

The truth is that everybody is slightly different, and a few different things will play into how often you should schedule your visits. We’ll talk about this in more detail in the paragraphs below.

Age

How often you should visit the gynecologist partly depends on your age. Women between the ages of 16 and 30 should go to the gynecologist once every year.

Women over the age of thirty who are in good health should see their gynecologist at least every other year. The nature of your appointment might also vary based on age. For instance, those in their late teens to early twenties should not be surprised if your gynecologist doesn’t perform a pap smear or a pelvic exam very often.

Health

Naturally, the frequency of gynecology visits should increase in cases where the patient has or is at higher risk of a gynecological condition. Perhaps you show no signs of cervical cancer, but a close relative had it at some point. The doctor will likely recommend having a pap smear done more often.

The same is true about breast cancer and similar conditions. Most women don’t start getting mammograms until they’re at least 40 years old, and usually only need one every other year or so. Like we’ve said, higher risk means more careful treatment, so if you more prone to breast cancer for some reason, the doctors will want to watch you more closely.

Sexual Activity

While many people won’t have to undergo pelvic exams or pap smears during their first visit, those who are sexually active will. Once a person becomes sexually active, they put themselves at risk for pregnancy, and STDs.

The good news is that the average person doesn’t become sexually active until they’re about 17. This number has increased over time, with more people postponing the loss of their virginities than in previous years.

It’s also worth noting that not only has the average age of sexual activity gone up, but the amount of sexually active teens has, too. The rate is now at roughly 38%, compared to well over 40% just over a decade ago, and it’s falling.

When Should I Visit My Gynecologist?

Is there a specific time when I should visit my gynecologist? It’s a question a lot of people have, and the answer, unfortunately, is yes and no. While every woman should have gynecological exams at set times, the schedule will differ for each person. We’ve discussed some of the factors to take into account in this article. You can learn more about gynecological health and how to stay healthy by looking around our site.

We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.