Well-Woman Visits: Also known as your annual exam by your Gynecologist:
- What does a well-woman visit include?
- A well-woman exam is an important way to help you stay healthy. This typically happens once a year for most women. These visits focus on preventative care rather than sickness. This typically includes screening, evaluation and counseling, and immunizations based on age and risk factors.
- You and your provider will discuss health goals, and together decide which screenings or follow up is appropriate for you
- What happens during a wellness visit?
- This will depend on our age, sexual history and medical history but typically you will get a full physical exam which may include doing a clinical breast exam (feeling your breasts for any lumps or changes) and doing a pelvic exam (looking at your vagina and feeling around your pelvis)
- At Age 21 is when you will start needing regular pelvic exams and pap smear tests, which is the screening test for cervical cancer
- STD screening is not automatically collected during an annual exam, but it is advised to request testing during the visit if you are at risk
Problem Visits: A problem visit or “sick” visit will address other issues rather than routine preventative care. This should be a separate office visit from your annual exam. These issues include topics such as: abnormal bleeding or irregular periods, breast issues, menopausal symptoms, vaginal infections including yeast or bacterial vaginosis, urinary issues or UTIs, etc.