| Nearly 3/4 of the US population between the ages of 15 and 49 have been infected with one HPV strain at some time. |
|  | | Gyn = Gynecology = Good Health | | Gynecology is an important part of health care for women. It protects your sexual and reproductive health. Periodic gynecological care can:
- help prevent illness and discomfort
- lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and precancerous growths of the cervix — when they may be more curable
- detect sexually transmitted infections and other conditions before they cause serious damage
- detect causes of infertility that may be treated
- make pregnancy and childbirth easier |
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| Each year about 10,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Women who do not have regular gynecological care are up to seven times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
More than 260,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. The survival rate for women who detect their cancers early is 79-97 percent, depending on how early. The survival rate is only 16-56 percent for women with advanced cancers that have spread to other parts of their bodies.
Don't let it happen to you...
Whether you're young or old, married or single, sexually active or not, or whether you're lesbian, straight, or bisexual — good gynecological care can keep you healthy and may save your life. |
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| Periodic GYN visits and exams may include:
- talking about your personal, family, sexual, and medical history
- laboratory tests and screening for sexually transmitted infections and other conditions
- counseling
- a pelvic exam
- a breast exam
Pap tests are part of GYN exams. They can detect:
- the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix
- infections and inflammations of the cervix (Pap tests cannot specifically identify most sexually transmitted infections, but they may detect symptoms.)
- thinning of the vaginal lining from lack of estrogen commonly related to menopause |
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| | Women should start having Pap tests three years after they have vaginal intercourse or when they become 21 years old — whether or not they have had vaginal intercourse. Talk with your clinician about how often you should have periodic GYN visits and exams. |
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