As the medical field still has a long way to go in many areas of women’s health, I prepared a list of questions from reputable, official sources for female readers to ask during their next appointment. Why? It was the National Wear Red Day for women’s cardiovascular health, and it reminded me how much we still have to be our own health advocates.
The question list isn’t exhaustive, and I’m not a medical professional, but it’s a good place to start. I grouped it into different categories.
Lifestyle, Fitness, Heart Health
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the US, but many women don’t discuss their cardiovascular health with their doctors. And as you know, your lifestyle choices play huge role in your heart health. Here are the questions I found:
- What is my cardiac risk score, and what factors are contributing to it?
- What are my current cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar readings?
- What lifestyle changes would have the biggest impact on my overall health?
- How much exercise should I be getting each week, and what types are best for me?
- Are there specific dietary changes I should make based on my health conditions?
Tests and Preventive Care
While you will get recommended some screenings based on your age, family history, and individual risk, it doesn’t hurt to check and detect diseases early.
- Which screenings do I need based on my current age and health history?
- When should I be screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer?
- At what age should I start bone density screening for osteoporosis?
- What cardiovascular screenings do I need (cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease risk)?
- What vaccinations am I due for at my age (HPV, hepatitis B, shingles, flu, COVID-19, Tdap)?
- How often should I have a Pap smear and pelvic exam?
- Do I need screening for diabetes, thyroid issues, or vitamin deficiencies?
Birth Control and Medication Safety
Birth control is a highly personal choice, and not all methods will work for everyone. Some birth control and other medications carry risks that you have to be fully informed about. Based on Mayo Clinic resources, which I suggest you check out yourself, I compiled the following lists:
- Are there any health conditions or medications I’m taking that make certain birth control methods unsafe for me?
- How will this birth control method affect my fertility if I want to get pregnant in the future?
- What are the warning signs or serious side effects I should watch for with hormonal birth control?
- How long does it take for this method to become effective, and do I need backup contraception initially?
For medications and supplements, ask:
- Should I continue taking all my current medications and supplements?
- Are there any dangerous interactions between my medications, supplements, or over-the-counter drugs?
- What are the short-term and long-term side effects of each medication I’m taking?
- What will happen if I stop taking this medication? Can I safely discontinue it?
- Is there a generic version of this medication that would be more affordable?
- Are there lifestyle changes I could make that might reduce my need for this medication?
Unfortunately, while most medications and medical devices are extremely safe, some are known to have caused harm. In this case, you may have legal options, such as women who had to file a Depo-Provera injury lawsuit claim after these birth control injections gave them serious side effects. For any issues and cases where you think your rights were violated, you can also contact the National Patient Advocate Foundation.
Personal Risk Factors and Family History
We sometimes forget about the importance of family history in medicine, and doctors do not always ask, but many chronic conditions have a genetic component that increases your risk levels.
Ask yourself what chronic conditions run in your family, and then check with your physician about:
Preventive screenings you should prioritize
- Can I make some lifestyle changes to reduce risk?
- How do these conditions in your family affect my personal risk?
- At what age should I get tested for these conditions?
- Should I see a genetic counselor to understand the risks better?
While I generally write about lighter topics, I wanted to raise awareness with this post about women’s health. Since these are not all the questions you should ask, I include a link to a more in-depth National Institute of Aging resource, so you can better prepare for your next appointment with expert tips. I hope we all stay safe and healthy this year.
