Well Woman Exams

Annual wellness exams provide women with an excellent opportunity to take charge of their own health. Routine visits with one of our medical providers can help diagnose a problem early or prevent problems before they occur.

Well women exams typically include:

• Discussion of age relevant topics and risk factors
• Physical exam and screening tests
• Immunizations
• Counseling/discussion of clinical recommendations for ongoing care
• Referral service for follow-up care or specialist care as needed

Usually, it's recommended that you schedule your first well woman exam when you become sexually active or when you turn 21. However, younger women with menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain or other conditions can benefit from a well woman exam.

Your well woman exam is your time to discuss any health concerns you may have. Well women exams are about your whole-body health, including your emotional health as well as your physical and reproductive health.

A well woman exam is customized to the individual, so not every exam will follow the exact same formula. The most common aspects of a well woman exam include:

• A physical evaluation to assess your overall health
• A breast exam and/or mammogram to screen for breast cancer
• A pelvic exam and/or Pap smear to check your gynecological health and screen for cervical cancer

Based on your specific concerns or questions, your doctor may recommend additional testing or exams as well.

There are no risks associated with an annual wellness exam, and the benefits of identifying any health concerns early are significant.

Your doctor may give you special instructions before your well woman exam, depending on which exams or tests you need. For example, if you're getting a Pap smear, then it's recommended to abstain from intercourse for 48 hours beforehand.

Before your exam, it's also a good idea to write down any questions you have ahead of time so you have a chance to discuss all your health concerns with your doctor during your visit.

A well woman exam usually begins just like any other visit to the doctor. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your medical history and any symptoms you've noticed. You may also need to answer questions about your menstrual cycle, sexual history and pregnancy history.

Typically, well women exams include 4 aspects:

You should be able to return to your normal daily routine immediately after your well woman exam. If you had specific tests done during your exam, your doctor will contact you with the results as soon as they're available and let you know about any next steps you need to take.