“I don’t think there is a future mother who has missed a single test and a single investigation if they were recommended by a doctor“, says the assistant. university Dr. Antoanela Curici, primary physician in laboratory medicine and the medical director of Synevo Romania. Things change, however, after the baby comes into the world, when all priorities migrate to the child, and the mother tends to forget about her.
Although women have a higher life expectancy than men, their health status is lower, according to the latest report State of Health in the EU Romania – Country profile in terms of health. Much fewer women in Romania resort to preventive tests compared to the average of the European Union. One such example is testing for cervical cancer, the third most common type of cancer among women, after breast and colorectal. Only 25.3% of women aged 20-69 in Romania reported having been screened for cervical cancer in the past 24 months – less than half the EU average of 59.9% .
Women take care of everyone around them and they put themselves on the back burner – this is how doctors explain why, in many cases, women go to the doctor with health problems that cannot be postponed anymore, instead of coming for prevention. They are generally the ones who take children to all the necessary check-ups, vaccinate them and prepare them for a life with as few health worries as possible. They also come to the aid of their partners and insist on going to the doctor when needed. Sometimes it takes years before a woman listens to the signals from her body.
“The most important thing is for mothers to realize how valuable they are and that they can always do something for themselves,” says the assistant. university Dr. Antoanela Curici, primary physician in laboratory medicine and the medical director of Synevo Romania. And that something can be to put a reminder on our phone to remind us every year when it’s time for preventive tests and investigations.
The doctor lists below the most important tests that you should do periodically, so that you can give your child the healthy mother it needs.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, test your levels of these vitamins and minerals
If you feel like the challenges of motherhood are getting harder and harder to manage, you’re not alone. Most mothers feel this, especially when the hours of sleep are too few and the number of hours in a day proves insufficient for how much you have to do. However, when you feel overwhelmed, you are more easily irritable than usual, the fatigue becomes chronic and you simply do not feel well, it is useful to think about having a set of analyzes that also includes the dosage of a few vitamins and minerals.
Sometimes nutritional deficiencies can be related to how you feel. More research in recent years has looked at how certain vitamins and minerals influence mood. One such study observed the role in postpartum depression of elements such as: zinc, magnesium, iron and copper.
Zinc is essential in brain function, and zinc deficiency has been associated with behavioral disorders. In the case of women with postnatal depression, a lower concentration of zinc in the blood was observed compared to emotionally balanced mothers.
Another important mineral, magnesium influences the nervous system by modulating neurotransmission. In many cases of depression, a magnesium deficiency has been found. It is important to know that magnesium reserves are depleted during pregnancy, and this is considered one of the causes of postpartum depression.
Also, iron deficiency anemia could trigger symptoms of depression, according to another study. Anemia is a common health problem after childbirth, says Asst. university Dr. Antoanela Curici, but iron deficiency is not only associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Moreover, anemia is an extremely common health problem, found in 22.7% of women in Romania.
When is the Babeș-Papanicolau test necessary and when to do the HPV test
Last year, worldwide, only 10% of women were tested for a sexually transmitted infection, which means almost 2 billion women of reproductive age at risk of infertility, increased susceptibility to maternal and fetal infection. Added to these is an increased risk of cervical cancer. “I don’t think there is a future mother who has missed a single test and investigation if they were recommended by a doctor. Then, after the child is born, he tends to forget about her, because the focus of attention has shifted to the new being he gave life to, because he wants him to be healthy. But he shouldn’t forget that it’s important to go and see how his body has recovered, to have a regular set of tests, to make sure that he has the energy and strength to give the whole family everything he has need”, emphasizes Dr. Antoanela Curici.
We should consider performing an annual vaginal discharge exam and a profile of sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV. And the Babeș-Papanicolau test is essential, which can identify in time possible changes with a risk of cervical cancer.
Microbiological examination of vaginal discharge and cervical-vaginal cytology Babeș-Papanicolau in liquid medium are part of the extended profile of genital conditions, one of the four prevention profiles designed by Synevo Romania for women, in the month dedicated to them. The other three profiles are: general screening profile, hormonal status screening profile and profile of thyroid conditions. All are available from 03/04-05/31/2024 with a 20% discount, both online and in Synevo collection centers.
Emotional balance is linked to hormonal balance
“During pregnancy I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis, because I obtained altered ATPO values (no – anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and it was necessary to monitor my TSH and fT4 monthly, hormones that, if they are out of balance, can seriously affect baby’s health. Fortunately, they were within parameters all along. I gave birth four years ago, and since then, between family and work, endless bouts from daycare and then kindergarten, I haven’t been able to get my tests done,” confesses Andreea from Bucharest.
The dosage of thyroid hormones is very important, all the more so since thyroid conditions have a high incidence in Romania. And an imbalance at the thyroid level results in the accentuation of some symptoms that mothers feel anyway:
- anxiety or depressive states;
- insomnia;
- palpitations (rapid heart rate);
- fatigue;
- irascibility.
But other hormone imbalances can also result in mood swings, but also weight fluctuations, menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunctions or infertility. A hormone status screening profile should include:
- FSH (follicle stimulating hormone);
- LH (luteinizing hormone);
- Estradiol;
- Progesterone;
- Testosterone;
- Prolactin.
Taking care of yourself and your health means, first of all, thinking about your future with your loved ones and setting a good example for your children. Make it a routine to see your family doctor at least once a year and schedule a set of routine tests annually, which a doctor will then interpret. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved ones!
