All About the Well-Woman Exam

To live well and reduce the risk of serious illness, it is important for women to have

an annual physical, or checkup. Regular checkups can help ¿nd problems early or prevent health problems before they occur.

In addition to the annual checkup is a well-woman exam. A well-woman exam is a checkup that focuses on the female reproductive system and sexual health. )or example, an annual well-woman exam typically includes a complete pelvic examination. A Pap test to screen for cervical cancer can also be part of a well-woman exam a Pap test will usually be performed every 3 to 5 years.

“The general recommendation is for women to have Pap tests for cervical cancer screening between the ages of 21 and 65,” says Candy Birch, M.D., a gynecologist at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. If testing for human papillomavirus, or HPV, is indicated along with the Pap test, the recommended age range is 30 to 65.

However, there is more to a wellwoman visit than a Pap test.

According to Dr. Birch, a wellwoman visit is a good time for patients to talk with their doctor about:

‡ Personal health history

‡ )amily health history

‡ Concerns about relationships and sexual partners

‡ Eating habits and physical activity ‡ Struggles with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

‡ Mental health history, including depression

‡ Calculating body mass index, or BMI

‡ Blood pressure measurement ‡ Manual breast exam and mammogram recommendations

‡ Pelvic exam ¿ndings

‡ Health topics relevant to age and risk factors

‡ Recommended screenings and follow-up services

‡ Creating a written wellness plan to achieve health goals

“Every woman is different, and some may have additional topics to discuss during a well-woman exam,” Dr. Birch says. “Always let your doctor know of any new or unusual symptoms or concerns. And take notes if necessary to help you keep track of recommendations for additional screening or follow-up.”