Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) always wants to remind the community about the importance of preventive care and how it contributes to maintaining our physical and mental well-being. Preventive care is about more than just avoiding illness, it’s about staying ahead of potential health risks and living a vibrant, healthy life.
March celebrates Women’s History Month, dedicated to recognizing women’s achievements. Women frequently serve as caregivers, organizers, and problem solvers in their families and communities. Yet in the midst of caring for others, many women don’t prioritize their own health. They can overlook symptoms and risk delaying important diagnoses because they don’t have the time to schedule annual screenings with their providers.
Providers at NAH are committed to educating the community about conditions that impact women, including endometriosis. March is also recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month, highlighting a condition that affects millions of women and may remain undiagnosed for years. The American Medical Association estimates it impacts over 6.5 million women, most commonly those in their 30s and 40s.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other areas within the pelvis. This tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, which can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.
Painful periods are one of the most common signs of endometriosis, but they are not the only symptom. Women may also experience chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue or pain during intercourse.
Because symptoms can widely vary from person to person, it is important for women to pay attention to their bodies and be their own health advocate. Women sometimes dismiss fatigue or pain, assuming it’s a normal part of a busy life. While many symptoms may have simple explanations, ongoing changes should never be ignored.
Being an advocate for your own health means asking questions, seeking medical advice when something does not feel right and trusting your instincts. Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, treatment options are available that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The right treatment plan depends on each woman’s individual situation, symptoms and long-term health goals.
One of the most important steps women can take for their health is to schedule regular annual wellness visits with their primary care providers or OB-GYNs. These appointments provide an opportunity to talk openly with your provider about reproductive health, pain and any changes in the body. These screenings can help with the early detection of conditions such as endometriosis.
NAH has prioritized recruiting new providers to help ensure access to health care when you need it. In the past year, NAH has more than doubled the number of primary care providers at its newly expanded Primary Care Clinic in Flagstaff. Two of our most recent primary care hires, Leila Noghrehchi, MD, and Valerie Van Ravenswaay, DO, specialize in women’s health. Our large team of established providers is dedicated to serving the community, addressing any health concerns someone may have. Scheduling annual health exams gives women a safe and trusted space to talk openly with their health care provider.
Preventive care is one of the most powerful tools in medicine. It allows providers to identify concerns early and support patients through every stage of life. Endometriosis is just one condition where preventive care can greatly improve quality of life once a diagnosis is made. NAH supports our community at every step, guiding patients through their health journey with compassion, empathy and respect.
Please note: The Arizona Daily Sun requires a subscription to access its articles.
If you are interested in submitting a question for NAH, please email it to [email protected]. We will choose one question per month and one of our experts will answer it in this column.