World Health Day 2022: 5 things to know about your gynae health

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7 to raise awareness about the ongoing health issues that concern people worldwide. This year's World Health Day theme is "Our Planet, Our Health".

On World Health Day, let's discuss some myths and facts about gynae health.

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Myth 1: You don't need to visit a gynecologist till you're pregnant or have a problem

There's more to your system than the changes of pregnancy. For better gynae health, you can get an internal check-up and a Pap smear test every three years after 21 years of age. An HPV test after 30 years of age, a breast examination test every year, an ultrasound of the pelvis and a mammography every year after 40 years of age.

Myth 2: It's not essential to get the HPV vaccination or Pap smear test done

Many people probably are not even aware they need to get vaccinated between 9-26 years of age. The HPV vaccine affords protection against cervical cancer and vaginal, vulval, and anal cancer. However, please remember that you still need to be screened for a regular Pap smear test.

Myth 3: Pap smear test is for sexually transmitted diseases

A Pap smear test is done for cervical cancer caused by sexually transmitted HPV but not for all STDs. It's important to reveal your sexual history to your gynecologist and get tested for STDs like Hepatitis B, HIV, etc.

Myth 4: Menopause is inevitable and so are its symptoms

While it's true that menopause is inevitable, it's a myth that problems are easy to endure. Talk to post-menopausal women drenched in sweats with hot flashes, trying to cope with genitourinary problems like repeated UTI and vaginal dryness. Anxiety, irritability, anger and weak bones are also everyday issues menopausal women cope with.

Myth 5: Motherhood comes naturally to all women

Pregnancy comes with its share of issues. So do postpartum problems. Once the baby is born, many women may have lactation issues, postpartum depression, exhaustion, alopecia, anemia and extremely low libido. And it doesn't make you a bad mother just because you jostle with these problems.

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(Inputs from Dr. Shelly Singh, senior consultant, Rosewalk hospital)