What if the most important health screenings for women are also some of the most triggering—and no one is talking about it honestly enough?
In this solo episode of Wellness in Every Season, Autumn Carter opens a deeply real, compassionate, and much-needed conversation about mammograms and pap smears—why they matter, why they’re so hard, and why avoidance is far more common than most people realize. Turning 40 brought Autumn face-to-face with these screenings, and she shares her firsthand experience navigating discomfort, trauma activation, frustration with outdated technology, and the complicated emotions many women silently carry.
This episode is not about fear-mongering or medical shaming. It’s about empowerment, choice, and safety. Autumn breaks down what these screenings involve, why they’re still considered necessary, and what alternatives exist (and where insurance often falls short). She also offers practical, nervous-system-friendly strategies to prepare before appointments, stay grounded during them, and care for yourself afterward—because your body deserves respect at every step.
You’ll also hear guidance on advocating for yourself with healthcare providers, finding practitioners who truly listen, and remembering that you are always in the driver’s seat of your health. Whether you’re someone who dreads these appointments, has skipped them entirely, or supports women who do, this episode is for you.
Follow Autumn on Instagram and Facebook @wellnessineveryseason, and explore more resources at wellnessineveryseason.com.
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