National Women's Check-Up Day: Wondering if You Should Get Tested?
By Christine Cupaiuolo — May 10, 2010
Today marks the 8th annual National Women’s Check-Up Day, a nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health to promote the importance of regular check-ups as “vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections and other conditions.”
Planned Parenthood has put together key points concerning sexually transmitted infections along with a handy quiz (see below) to help assess individual risk.
* It is estimated that nearly 19 million new cases of STIs occur each year, and that by the age of 25, one in two sexually active young people will contract an STI.
* Biological factors place women at greater risk of infection than men, and contribute to more severe health consequences for women.
* Chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States, are also among the most serious and preventable threats to women’s fertility.
* Both rates and consequences of chlamydia and gonorrhea are far more severe among women than men.
* If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to infertility.
* Most STIs have also been associated with increased risk of HIV transmission.
* Many STIs often don’t cause any symptoms. Many people get or spread infections without ever having symptoms.
As a young and careless woman, I had suffer from the effects of STIs without being treated on time, because I did not expect that would happen to me, but really it is extremely important as women to take care of ourselves and visit the doctor and do not be ashamed. As well if the guys does not want to have sex with condom never do it, sometimes for love we do not respect our bodies but now I am suffering from it, I had PID and it was so painful and left me without my ovaries and I am single and still young, so be careful women, love yourselves!
I think it is imperative that we shed more light on National Women’s Check-Up Day. What a fabulous day to celebrate women and to think that we as a culture could take this day to educate men & women & children on the importance on taking care of a woman in their life! As a woman, a nurse, and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Student, I feel that we often see our women in our society taking care of everyone but themselves. I think it is time to let women of all ages know that taking care of themselves and regular preventative exams are so vital to their well-being and state of health. This starts with education of our young women (in regards to STI’s prevention and management), to our women of child-bearing age (in regards to obstetrical and GYN care) and to older women who are more at risk for cancer and need time-sensitive screenings to assist in detection and cure.