WHAT IS A WELL WOMAN CHECK-UP?

A Well Woman check-up can provide advice on gynaecological problems, family planning (often including IUD fitting), cervical smears, breast disease and menopause.

In addition you will be able to discuss your general health and have your urine, weight, cholesterol and blood pressure checked and you will be seen by a female doctor.

Below are some health tips and information for women that
will allow you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Following good dietary habits
• A diet that is rich in calcium
• Calcium supplements during pregnancy
• A healthy iron intake
• Exercise, and good lifestyle habits
• A diet that is high fiber, low-calorie
• Have a physical exam each year
• Taking multi-vitamins, minerals and calcium

Proper diet, exercise, and good lifestyle habits can help to prevent breast, cervical, uterine, endometrial, colorectal, and ovarian cancers that are common among women.

Following good dietary habits can reduce a women's risk of osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Diets that are rich in calcium can build strong bones to help offset thinning bones during menopause. Calcium supplements aid in new bone formation during pregnancy.

A healthy iron intake can prevent iron deficiency anemia and help manage the increased blood volume during pregnancy.

Develop and maintain healthy diet and lifestyle patterns and
have a physical exam each year to prevent and diagnose early
your treatable health issues. A High fiber, low-calorie diet can also help to prevent cancer and promote good cardiovascular function.

Taking supplements like soy isoflavones, black cohosh, calcium and magnesium, and others, can help women during menopause and help to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, while reducing cancer risks.

Multivitamins, minerals, calcium, magnesium, soy, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants should all be a part of every women's life to help you maintain good health and prevent medical conditions that are commonly found in women.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Structural differences exist between human and synthetic and animal hormones. In order for a replacement hormone to fully replicate the function of hormones, which were originally naturally produced and present in the human body, the chemical structure must exactly match the original.

There are significant differences between hormones that are natural to humans and synthetic or horse preparations. Side chains can be added to a naturally-occurring hormone to create a synthetic drug that can be patented by a manufacturer.

A patented drug can be profitable to mass produce, and therefore a drug company can afford to fund research as to the medication's use and effectiveness.

However, naturally-occurring substances cannot be patented, so scientific studies are less numerous on natural hormones, because medical research is usually funded by drug companies.

Natural hormones include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and pregnenolone. Our compounding specialists work together with patients and prescribers to provide customized hormone replacement therapy that provides the needed hormones in the most appropriate strength and dosage form to meet each woman's specific needs.

Hormone replacement therapy should be initiated carefully after a woman's medical and family history has been reviewed. Every woman is unique and will respond to therapy in her own way. Close monitoring and medication adjustments are essential.