Routine gynecological care is a vital part of maintaining your long-term health. We recommend an annual well-woman exam for all patients to monitor wellness and discuss preventative health strategies.
The focus of this visit often changes based on your stage of life:
- Patients under age 21: These visits often focus on discussing menstrual cycles or contraception and may not require a physical pelvic examination.
- Patients age 21 and older: The annual visit typically includes a clinical breast and pelvic exam. Per current medical guidelines, routine Pap smears for cervical cancer screening are generally not performed every year and are not recommended for those under age 21.
What to Expect During Your Exam
During your well-woman visit, your provider will perform a comprehensive assessment of your overall and reproductive health, including:
- Health History Review: A thorough discussion of your medical, surgical and family history.
- Vitals & Measurements: Recording your blood pressure and weight with personalized recommendations as needed.
- Clinical Physical Exam: Examination of the thyroid, breasts and abdomen.
- Reproductive Health Exam: * Inspection of external genitalia.
- Speculum examination of the vagina, vulva, bladder and cervix.
- Palpation of the pelvic muscles, bladder, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- Performance of routine screening tests such as Pap smears or vaginal swabs when indicated.
Preventative Screenings & Consultations
This visit provides an opportunity to discuss age-appropriate risk factors and lifestyle choices to prevent future disease. Your provider may screen for or discuss various conditions, including:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Menopausal symptoms
- Bladder and sexual dysfunction
- Bone health (osteoporosis)
- Mental health and depression
- Screenings for breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers
Important Note on Problem Visits
Well-woman exams are designed for preventative care and routine screening. If you are experiencing a specific medical problem, a separate "problem-focused" appointment may be required. Thoroughly evaluating and managing complex issues often requires more time than is allotted for a standard wellness exam.
