I am so excited to announce that The Christ Hospital has expanded their women’s health services to Southgate, KY. This new location will allow women in Northern Kentucky to receive excellent high-quality care from five different providers. I attended the ribbon cutting and had a great conversation with Dr. Neha Jeirath (one of the providers) about women’s health. As a mom to a daughter, I appreciated the chance to ask this OB/GYN the questions that matter most to families like mine.
When Should Young Women Start Seeing an OB/GYN?
One of the first things I asked was, “What age should a young girl or woman start going to the OB/GYN?” Turns out, it’s a little bit older than I thought. Dr. Jeirath said, “We recommend all women see their OB/GYN once they turn 21 so they can get their first Pap smear. However, I often tell patients to come see us before this to establish care and form a relationship with their provider so they are more comfortable at the gynecologist's office when it is time to do their first pelvic exam. It is also important for women to come see us earlier if they become sexually active or have any concerns in their teenage years that need to be addressed.”
Why Annual OB/GYN Visits Matter
Many women assume that OB/GYN visits are only necessary during pregnancy or when planning a family, but annual check‑ups are essential for overall well‑being. Dr. Jeirath emphasized, “Women should visit their OB/GYN at least annually for routine check-ups, but during pregnancy we see patients much more frequently for routine prenatal care visits.”
As pregnancy progresses, these visits become weekly—but the importance of care outside of pregnancy is just as strong.
“OB/GYNs do so much more than just obstetric care,” Dr. Jeirath said. “At annual visits, we discuss contraceptive needs, menstrual concerns, sexual health issues and so much more. We also perform breast exams, collect pap smears for cervical cancer screening, offer STI testing and can administer the HPV vaccine to help prevent various cancers. These things are very important to the general health and wellbeing for all women, not just those interested in starting a family!”
Building a Lifelong Relationship With an OB/GYN
I began seeing an OB/GYN around age 17—not because I was thinking about a family, but because I knew how valuable it was to build a relationship with a women’s health expert. Dr. Jeirath reinforced how meaningful that connection can be. “OB/GYNs are specifically trained to take care of women, which allows us to offer certain insight into problems that other providers may not have,” she explained. “We are also trained to take care of women over a wide age range, so if you find an OB/GYN you like, they can help support you through many different phases of life.”
If you’d like to schedule with or learn more about Dr. Neha Jeirath, click here.