Well Woman Exam
in Washington DC

A yearly well-woman check is essential for keeping healthy throughout your life and avoiding health issues that are common among women. Knowing what a well-woman exam comprises will help you prepare for your appointment and put your doctor or OB-GYN at ease.

What is a wellness visit?

A wellness visit, also known as a wellness check, is an annual assessment with your primary care physician or OB-GYN to discuss your personal health. These appointments are usually different from visits that address acute diseases and injuries and focus on preventative care and whole-person health.

A well-woman check may include services such as immunizations, cancer screenings, and educational programs that help you make educated health decisions, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Gynecological services such as a pelvic exam, vaginal exam, and cervical exam may also be included.

What happens during a wellness visit?

According to Oregon Health and Science University, all well-woman visits begin with a chat between you and your clinician (OHSU). This is an excellent time to discuss any health concerns you may have, such as new symptoms you've noticed or the status of any existing health issues you're dealing with. You might even have discussions about gender identity, body image, exercise, nutrition, family ties, and incontinence, according to the University of Southern California (USC).

During a wellness checkup, you may be given cancer and other disease screenings. Hearing, eyesight, cervical cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections are all possible screenings, according to USC (STIs). Other screenings you might have include diabetes, osteoporosis, and lung cancer, especially if you're 65 or older, according to USC.

Some healthcare practitioners may inquire about your reproductive health. If you're thinking about starting a family, your OB-GYN might suggest prenatal vitamins and other ways to boost your fertility, according to USC. If you don't want to get pregnant or don't want to have children right now, your provider can talk to you about the benefits and drawbacks of various birth control methods and help you choose the best one for you..

Mental health is another essential topic that your doctor may discuss during your annual well-woman check, according to OHSU. You may be asked about your mood, such as whether you are irritable or have mood swings frequently. According to OHSU, you may also be screened for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues.

What kinds of questions will they ask me?

Your provider may ask you several probing questions during a well-woman check to discover more about your overall physical, emotional, and mental health. This could include questions regarding your menstrual period, chronic health concerns, new symptoms, pregnancy, and current amount of sexual activity, according to the DHHS. You may also be questioned about your drug and alcohol use, as well as any current prescriptions you are taking.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

A well-woman checkup is the ideal time to ask your doctor any health-related questions. For example, you might wish to inquire about the effectiveness of specific diets or new medications or treatments you've lately heard about. Birth control, monthly irregularities, reproductive concerns, vaginal discharge, and immunizations are among the topics you can discuss, according to the DHHS.

According to DHHS, well-woman exams are usually done one-on-one with your doctor, who should be someone you trust and feel comfortable speaking with. Once you've found the proper doctor, you'll feel more at ease discussing health-related questions or concerns with your doctor, who will be able to shed more light on them.

Will I need to have any tests?

If you have any troubling symptoms, such as irregular menstrual bleeding, vaginal itching, pain, or symptoms that indicate you may have a STI, your doctor may order specific testing. Tests and screenings for malignancies such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and HPV are also possible.