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After all the Christmas presents, parties, Noche Buena feast, holiday vacation, and all the other expenses you incurred this season, I hope you left some of your hard-earned year-end bonus to be saved and spent on things with lasting impact on your health and sanity.

If you have no idea where to start, here are five medical tests you must schedule before the year ends or early in 2017, according to Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkins and Liners’ OB-Gyn Faith Suluen, to ensure you’re still in the pink of health as you welcome the New Year. Make time and set aside a budget for the following:

1. Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam

Since it’s the quick screening test/procedure and the gold standard for detecting pre-cancerous or cancerous cells from papillomavirus or HPV, it’s essential to catch early any possible abnormal growth, whether you’re sexually active by age 21 or the disease runs in the family. If you haven’t had a cervical vaccination, don’t hesitate to talk to your OB-Gyn or employer/health card provider to check if it’s part of your package. It is especially advantageous for women without prior sexual contact.

2. Transvaginal Ultrasound

Ensure your reproductive system (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and vagina) is on its absolute best. Highly recommended for checking irregularities or possible cysts, pelvic pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and more, the ultrasound probe gives the doctor a bird’s eye view of the organs with more accurate results.

3. Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound

Although breast cancer is deemed one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, it’s totally curable and controllable with the help of early detection and regular screening. Both mammogram (for those 40 and above) and breast ultrasound (for those 40 and below) are powerful tools for detecting symptoms, even before a woman experiences them, so consider these tests your major partners in prevention and ensuring full mammary health throughout your lifetime.

4. Blood Chemistry Test

Make it a point to regularly monitor blood pressure and cholesterol, which are lifesavers from heart disease and stroke—people seem especially at risk of this during and after the holiday season. The tender age of 20 should be the starting point of anyone’s biannual blood pressure monitoring habit, with cholesterol checking every four to six years, but perhaps more frequently if age, weight, lifestyle habits, and family history are major factors of developing risks.

5. Routine Urinalysis

Considered one of the simplest yet most powerful screening tests that detect UTI, kidney disorders, liver problems, and diabetes, it also helps diagnose specific disorders such as endocrine diseases and bladder cancer. Even if you don’t feel any abdominal or back pain and abnormalities in your urine, it’s a preventive test for keeping your urinary system clear.

And as for the discomforts of your period, that’s where Jeunesse Anion comes in: Its unique anion strip feature greatly helps reduce feminine discomforts like dysmenorrhea, cramps, and icky odor. Since I featured it on this blog post, I’ve been a loyal user of Jeunesse Anion pads that are available in five variants: panty liner, Ultra Day Pad, Ultra Day Non-wing, Ultra Night Pad, and All Night Pad. These choices ensure we’re covered throughout every stage of our red days and help relieve their not-so-pleasant side effects.

Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and Liners are currently available at Watsons, selected Mercury Drug and South Star Drug outlets, SM Department Store’s Health and Beauty section, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, Rustan’s Supermarket, Waltermart, Landmark Department Store, PCX stores, selected Metro Gaisano outlets, selected LCC Malls in Bicol, plus other stores nationwide. 

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