Women should establish a lifetime game plan - Health Care - guidelines

According to the Vagisil Women's Health Center, females of all ages need to be proactive about their health care, following game plans during various phases of life.

During the teen years

* Know your body so that you can recognize when something is different.

* Discuss your changing body with your current physician or suggest to a parent that you would like to switch to an adolescent specialist or gynecologist you would be more comfortable with when discussing feminine health concerns. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that girls have their first visit to a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15.

* Learn about sexually transmitted diseases from a reliable source. Ask questions and get tested if there is any chance you have been exposed.

* Keep track of when your periods start and stop, as well as anything out of the ordinary, such as severe pain or unusually heavy or light flow.

* Learn to examine your breasts properly and do so regularly. Bring any abnormalities to the attention of a parent or health care provider.

* Be aware of your discharge and feminine odor. A certain amount is quite normal, but if the color or odor changes noticeably, you might have an infection and will need to be treated by a physician.

* Don't smoke.

* Don't substitute dieting for eating healthy foods regularly.

* Make regular exercise part of your life. Get involved with a sport, work out, or take exercise classes.

* Talk to your mother or an aunt about any health conditions or diseases that might run in your family, such as breast and ovarian cancers and endometriosis, and inform your doctor.

During the reproductive years

* Schedule your annual visit to the gynecologist at the same time each year for a check-up and Pap smear.

* Call your gynecologist if you discover something strange, such as a bump or lump, or notice unusual discharge or a change in your menstrual cycle.

* Understand the difference between "just an itch" or signals of an infection. If an itch doesn't go away after use of an over-the-counter product, you should consult with your doctor.

* Discuss birth control options with your gynecologist. There are new methods available that you may not be aware of. Different methods may work better for you at different times of your reproductive years.

* If you are considering becoming pregnant, discuss this early on with your gynecologist, who can get you on a regimen of vitamins and diet to prepare your body.

* Keep track of your periods, noting any changes to your physician. Certain changes can signal an existing or future problem, including early-onset menopause.

* Determine what your ideal weight is and plan how you can get to it through proper diet and exercise. Yo-yo dieting is not a good idea. It is better to eat healthy and get regular exercise.

* Understand your risk for developing osteoporosis. (Early menopause will increase your risk since you will have a loss of estrogen for a longer period of time.) Take calcium supplements every day.

* Perform regular breast exams and ask your physician when you should have your first mammogram. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, make sure you mention it to your doctor.

* Know what you can do to reduce your risk of ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers. Beside the routine gynecologic visits, be familiar with your body and recognize abnormal pains, lumps, and bumps.

Menopause and beyond

* Continue to visit your gynecologist regularly, as the incidence of many disorders/diseases increases after menopause, such as uterine, breast, and ovarian cancer. Learn about risk factors and measures you can take to reduce them.

* Talk to your doctor about menopausal treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which could help with symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and insomnia. Check out non-hormonal products if HRT turns out not to be the right one for you.

* Make sure to schedule a thorough physical exam and mammogram annually, especially while undergoing HRT.

* Talk openly to your doctor about menopausal symptoms. Understand what changes are taking place and how they are affecting your life.

* Keep your heart healthy. Once menopause sets in, a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease raises dramatically. One in seven aged 45 to 64 have some form of heart disease.

* Emotional changes are a prevalent factor during the menopause years and beyond. The physical changes you are experiencing can create mental challenges that may interfere with normal psychological coping abilities.

* Take action regarding urinary leakage and incontinence. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms go beyond the mild forms associated with menopause. There are exercises and medications available to help.

* Make it a priority to maintain a normal sex life regardless of vaginal dryness and other symptoms that might inhibit your sexual desires. Moisturizers and/or prescription estrogen creams can help make intercourse more comfortable.