Well Woman Exam

Well woman exams are the foundation for wellness, health promotion and disease identification and management throughout your life. It is no secret that healthy living and early detection of disease increases not only your length of life but, more importantly, your quality of life. A periodic well woman exam for all ages is not just about good medical care, but it also gives you the opportunity to learn more about beneficial health habits.  

The well women exam basically is performed in 3 parts: the health history, physical exam including a breast exam, pelvic exam and an assessment for other health problems. Always remember to discuss all health-care issues with your provider—your best source for advice on healthy living.

Our Well Women exam includes:

1. a detailed health history,

2. complete physical exam including a pelvic exam, a pap smear and a manual breast exam

Pap Smear

We recommend young women have a complete physical exam that includes a pelvic exam with a pap smear, by age 21 unless they are sexually active. For sexually active women, this exam is recommended approximately three years after the first sexual encounter no matter what age that occurred. Women, younger than 21 who are not sexually active, but are having gynecological problems, should seek care if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
Until age 30, we recommend that all women have yearly pap tests. After age 30, if a woman has a negative history of abnormal pap smears for three years and no evidence of a virus called HPV, cervical screening can be extended to every three years unless they are at high risk for cervical cancer. [Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that is responsible for genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities and, in some cases, cervical cancer. There are treatments available if HPV is detected, and often it clears up on its own.]

Breast Health

This exam, performed by your provider, is a very important part of the yearly well woman exam. It should be done for women of all ages to look for any evidence of breast disease. A good exam starts by sitting up with arms above the head for any signs of an abnormal look to the breast such as dimpling, nipple inversion (where the nipple turns in, not out), an orange peel appearance or any redness, soreness, rash or swelling. Your provider may recommend that you receive additional breast testing.

Birth Control

We recognize that birth control choices are highly individual, and what suits one person doesn't always suit another. On your visit for a Well Woman exam, you can ask for advice on contraception. Your practitioner will be happy to discuss the different birth control methods available, how they work and what might best suit you and your lifestyle.