What is a well woman exam?
A well woman exam is an integral preventive care method designed to evaluate all aspects of a woman’s reproductive health. Well woman exams are recommended annually, but if you have certain underlying medical conditions or concerns, you might require more frequent testing.
Your well woman exam typically involves several tests and a detailed discussion with your Women’s Health Care Center, PLLC, provider. You’ll have a pelvic exam and a physical exam where your provider checks for any signs of abnormal cells or chronic disease.
What can I expect during my well woman exam?
Your well woman exam usually starts with a physical exam, where your provider examines your:
- Breasts
- Reflexes
- Thyroid gland
- Blood pressure
- Nose
- Mouth
- Weight
You might also have a urine test to check for anemia.
A clinical breast exam is a key part of your well woman care where your provider looks for any lumps or abnormalities in your breasts. Make sure you continue your breast self-checks at home to catch early signs of breast cancer.
Your Women’s Health Care Center, PLLC, provider gives you valuable information on how to properly perform your breast self-checks.
During your pelvic exam, your provider carefully evaluates your external sexual organs and gently inserts a speculum into your vagina. The speculum holds open the vaginal walls for your provider to view your cervix and check for signs of abnormalities or bacterial infections.
Your provider might recommend a Pap smear. With a Pap smear, your provider scrapes your cervix during your pelvic exam with a tiny instrument to look for abnormalities in a small sample of your cells. An STD test can also be performed in the same way.
What are the advantages of a well woman exam?
Well woman exams offer a multitude of benefits, such as:
- An opportunity to discuss contraception and examine your options
- Screenings and tests to catch cancer earlier when it’s more treatable
- Tests to check for STDs that don’t present symptoms
- Personal one-on-one time to discuss even your most intimate concerns
- Care from a compassionate provider specializing in women’s health
With your annual well woman exam, you can be proactive about your sexual wellness and reproductive health. The Women’s Health Care Center, PLLC, team is highly experienced in providing well woman exams. Call the office or schedule your appointment online today.
