Not long ago, a 34-year-old woman walked into my clinic with one simple complaint: she had been feeling unusually tired for months. She assumed it was because of work, looking after two young children and the constant juggling act that so many women are familiar with. She had tried vitamins, changed her diet and even blamed the summer heat. A routine evaluation, however, revealed severe anaemia and an underlying thyroid disorder that had gone unnoticed for years.
Stories like hers are far more common than many people realise.
As gynaecologists, we often meet women only when something has already started affecting their quality of life: a painful period, difficulty conceiving, an unexpected pregnancy or persistent bleeding. Very few women visit simply because they want to know whether everything is alright. Preventive health care is still not a habit, even among educated, health-conscious women.
The irony is that women are usually the ones making medical appointments for everyone else in the family. They remember vaccination dates, annual health checks for their parents and paediatric visits for their children. When it comes to their own health, the answer is often, "I'll go once things settle down."
Unfortunately, our bodies don't wait for the perfect time. The years before 40 are some of the busiest in a woman's life, but they are also the years when many health conditions quietly begin to develop. Hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, PCOS, cervical abnormalities, diabetes, hypertension and nutritional deficiencies often progress silently before becoming obvious enough to disrupt daily life.
This is why I believe every woman should think of an annual health check-up as preventive maintenance rather than a response to illness.
One of the most important screenings is the pap smear, which helps detect early cervical changes before they become cancerous. Equally important is a routine breast examination and being aware of any new lump, skin change or unusual nipple discharge. Early detection doesn't just improve treatment; it can completely change outcomes.
Your menstrual cycle also deserves attention. Heavy bleeding, severe cramps, irregular periods or spotting between cycles are often dismissed as 'normal'. They aren't always. Sometimes these symptoms point towards conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, thyroid disorders or PCOS conditions that are far easier to manage when identified early.
Beyond reproductive health, I encourage women to know their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, especially if there is a family history of diabetes or heart disease. Today's sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress and poor sleep are contributing to metabolic disorders much earlier than we used to see a decade ago.
For women planning a pregnancy, the ideal time to meet a gynaecologist is actually before conception. A pre-pregnancy consultation allows us to optimise nutrition, correct vitamin deficiencies, review medications, discuss vaccinations and address existing health conditions that may influence pregnancy outcomes.
Mental health matters
Perhaps the most overlooked part of every consultation is a conversation about mental wellbeing. Stress, anxiety, inadequate sleep and emotional exhaustion don't just affect mood; they influence hormonal balance, menstrual health and even fertility. Looking after emotional health is no longer optional; it is an essential part of preventive health care.
A health check-up before 40 is not about expecting bad news. It is about giving yourself the same attention and care that you so willingly give everyone else. Good health isn't built when disease appears—it is built through small, consistent decisions made long before symptoms begin.
As women, we spend much of our lives caring for others. Sometimes, the most responsible thing we can do is remember that we deserve that same care too.
(The author is the director and unit head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yatharth Hospital, Faridabad)
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
