Well Woman Exam Near Me

An annual well-woman exam is ideal for staying healthy throughout your life and preventing health problems that commonly affect females. Knowing what a well-woman exam entails can help you prepare for your appointment and feel more at ease with your doctor or OB-GYN.

What is a wellness visit?

A wellness visit, or wellness check, is an annual exam you have with your general practitioner or OB-GYN to discuss your personal health. These visits focus on preventive care and whole-person health and are usually separate from visits that address acute illnesses and injuries.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), a well-woman exam may include services like vaccines, cancer screenings, and educational sessions that help you make informed decisions about your health. They may also include gynecological services such as a pelvic exam, vaginal exam, and cervical exam.

What happens during a wellness visit?

All well-woman visits begin with a conversation between you and your provider, according to the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). This is an ideal time to bring up any concerns you may have about your health, such as new symptoms you’ve been experiencing or the status of ongoing health problems you may be dealing with. The University of Southern California (USC) mentions you may even have conversations around gender identity, body image, exercise, nutrition, family relationships, and incontinence.

You may also receive screenings for cancer and other diseases during a wellness visit. According to USC, exams may include screenings for hearing, vision, cervical cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Diabetes, osteoporosis, and lung cancer are other screenings you may receive, especially if you are aged 65 and older, states USC.

Some providers may talk to you about your reproductive health. If you are thinking about having children, your OB-GYN may talk to you about prenatal vitamins and steps you can take to improve your fertility, reports USC. If you don’t want to conceive or are not interested in having children right now, your provider can discuss the pros and cons of different birth control methods and help you choose the best one for you.

OHSU notes that mental health is another important topic your doctor may cover at annual well-woman visits. You may be asked questions about your mood, such as whether you frequently experience irritability and mood swings. You may also undergo screenings for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, adds OHSU.

What kinds of questions will they ask me?

During a well-woman exam, your provider may ask you several probing questions to learn more about your overall physical, emotional, and mental health. According to the DHHS, this may include questions about your menstrual period, chronic health conditions, new symptoms, pregnancy, and current sexual activity level. You may also be asked about your drug and alcohol use and any medications you are currently taking.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

A well-woman exam is the perfect opportunity to ask your doctor about anything related to health. For instance, you may want to ask about the efficacy of certain diets or about new medications or treatments you recently heard about. Topics you can bring up may include birth control, menstrual irregularities, fertility concerns, vaginal discharge, and vaccinations, says the DHHS.

Well-woman exams are usually held one-on-one with your doctor, who should be someone you trust and feel comfortable talking to, recommends DHHS. Once you find the right doctor, you can feel more comfortable bringing up health-related questions or concerns that may seem awkward to you but that your doctor can shed more light on.

Will I need to have any tests?

Your doctor may recommend having certain tests if you mention any concerning symptoms such as irregular menstrual bleeding, vaginal itching, pain, or symptoms that indicate you may have an STI. You may also receive tests and screenings for various cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and HPV.