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National Women’s Health Week

National Women's Health Week is a time to celebrate and prioritize the health and well-being of women everywhere. This week serves as a vital reminder for women to take proactive steps towards maintaining their health. Key areas of focus include mammograms, which can detect breast cancer up to three years before a lump is felt, and Pap smears, which help identify abnormal cells on the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer.
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Mammograms

A mammogram is a quick and simple X-ray that helps spot early signs of breast cancer before you can feel them. It’s a powerful tool that lets doctors detect changes, like lumps or tissue shifts, that might be missed during a self-exam or check-up.

  • A mammogram can spot breast cancer up to 3 years before you even feel a lump
  • It only takes 20 minutes to check in on your health and possibly save your life.
  • 1 in 8 women will face breast cancer. Catch it early, and you’ll have more options and a higher chance of recovery.

Pap Smears

A Pap smear might not be the most fun appointment — but it is one of the best ways to protect your health. This important screening looks for abnormal cells on your cervix that could lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. Catching those changes early can help stop cancer before it starts.

  • Pap smears can find abnormal cells before they turn into cervical cancer. Early detection = prevention.
  • Most Pap smears take less than 5 minutes. That’s faster than your coffee order — and way more important.
  • Cervical cancer grows slowly. Regular Pap smears give you the chance to catch changes early

Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of life. It simply means your body has stopped having periods — and it marks the end of your reproductive years.

  • Most people go through perimenopause first — this can last 4-8 years before your period officially stops.
  • Menopause is officially diagnosed after 12 months with no period.

Common Symptoms

  • Hot flashes outta nowhere
  • Night sweats ruining your sleep
  • Mood swings like a teenage rom-com
  • Brain fog (wait… what was I saying?)
  • Changes in your period (heavier, lighter, or missing altogether)
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Vaginal dryness (yep, it’s a thing)
  • Weight changes that don’t make sense
  • Feeling like a stranger in your own body

Fertility

Fertility is your body’s natural ability to get pregnant and have a baby.

It’s about:

→ Healthy eggs

→ Regular ovulation (releasing an egg each month)

→ Balanced hormones

→ Healthy reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes)

  • Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have. Egg count naturally declines with age – faster after 35
  • Lifestyle, stress, nutrition, and health conditions like thyroid disorders can all impact fertility – at any age
  • Talk to your doctor about a snapshot of your fertility health – egg count, hormone levels, ovarian reserve

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