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Women's health more than physical exam  by David Soper, M.D. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The MUSC Wellness Wednesday program will focus on  women's health issues from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 12 in the Children’s Hospital lobby.   Women have always taken a lead role in maintaining their health and the health of their families. They make the majority of health care decisions for their families and most are compliant with their annual gynecologic exams despite busy schedules and hurried lives.   But what comes to mind for women coming in for an annual physical exam? “It’s time for my pap smear.” Another common theme is the need for prescription renewal, particularly birth control medication. I am challenging women to be even more proactive.   A woman's annual exam is not just for a pap smear. It’s actually a health maintenance exam. Women should take this opportunity to be proactive and enter into a dialogue with their gynecological appointment.   “But I thought that OB/GYNs just deliver babies and do pap smears.” Not true. Modern obstetricians and gynecologists practice a very high quality of primary and preventive care. Traditionally, our training revolves around fertility control, pregnancy, and gynecologic disorders including bladder dysfunction and the urinary incontinence associated with pelvic relaxation, but we’re much more multifaceted.   We understand common medical disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and thyroid disease. Your OB/GYN is the one that screens you for these disorders and often times manages the early stages of these disorders. We can then refer you to a MUSC internist if needed.   What about weight management?  No one wants to bring that subject up, neither patient nor doctor. Why is that? We don’t have a pill or a reliable diet to quick-fix the problem. Be honest, and discuss your concerns with your provider. They will be able to give you some good, practical ways to manage your weight and can refer you to an MUSC colleague with expertise in this area.   Let’s mention the very sensitive subjects. With whom can you really discuss those uncomfortable topics such as sexuality and sexual dysfunction?  And how about those feelings of depression or anxiety?  Your OB/GYN is trained to recognize these problems and help you manage them.   “Can my gynecologist can help with the early recognition and prevention of infectious diseases?” Absolutely. But, make sure you let him or her know that you might be at risk for a sexually transmitted infection or that you are having genital tract symptoms that concern you. Remember that sexually transmitted infections usually are not associated with symptoms, so alert your provider if you need to be screened. In addition, OB/GYNs are now becoming vaccinators like their pediatrician counterparts. We give the flu vaccine to all pregnant women and a new HPV vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer has just been released.    Cancer prevention has always been the bailiwick of the OB/GYN. We still do the pap smears, arrange the mammograms, check your neck for a thyroid nodule, facilitate the scheduling of your screening colonoscopy and implore you to stop smoking.    So, next time you note that it’s time for your annual exam on your calendar, make a list. Share your concerns with your provider.  Communication is the key.  MUSC Women’s Health is just waiting to offer you the most comprehensive approach to Women’s Health backed up by all the specialists available through MUSC. Call 792-5300 to make an appointment. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health First. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA, and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, July 7, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.