If you are not keeping up with your well-woman exams, you are missing out on an opportunity to protect your health. Learn what happens during these preventive exams and why you should schedule your next one now.
A well-woman exam is one of the best ways to stay on top of your reproductive and sexual well-being. Even when you’re at the top of your game, you could have issues below that can lead to something more serious.
At Alpha OBGYN, you should schedule a well-woman exam annually with our physician Sowmya Reddy, MD, FACOG. Dr. Reddy provides personalized gynecology and women’s care to ensure you are healthy and not at risk for reproductive or sexual health complications.
What to expect during a well-woman exam
A well-woman exam is a type of health screening that should be part of your preventive health care plan. You schedule this routine exam once a year so that we can track changes in your health from one year to the next.
During your well-woman exam, Dr. Reddy assesses your gynecological health in several ways:
Honest discussion
We start each well-woman exam with a discussion about your overall health, your lifestyle, and any concerns you have about your health.
You should also disclose any unusual symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles or pelvic pain, to Dr. Reddy. The more information you can provide, the more efficiently we can evaluate your health.
Physical exam
A physical exam is an assessment of your existing health. We check your blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and other vital signs to ensure everything functions correctly.
Pelvic exam
Dr. Reddy manually checks your inner reproductive organs and vagina during a pelvic exam to identify signs of infections, fibroids, or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Pap smear
A Pap smear is a minimally invasive test that assesses your risk factors for cervical cancer. Dr. Reddy collects a sample of cells from your cervix and sends them to a medical lab for further evaluation.
Breast exam
Dr. Reddy checks your breasts and surrounding lymph nodes during a breast exam for lumps or other abnormalities. If you are over 40 or have symptoms that may be related to breast cancer, Dr. Reddy will also refer you for a mammogram.
Birth control counseling
If you are looking for or currently using birth control, Dr. Reddy can review all the options you have to prevent unwanted pregnancy. She makes recommendations based on your age, lifestyle, and family plans.
Benefits of a well-woman exam
All the assessments Dr. Reddy performs during your well-woman exam can identify early warning signs of disease before you have symptoms.
For instance, an abnormal Pap smear may indicate that you have cell changes that may increase your risk for cervical cancer. By identifying early signs of cancer, Dr. Reddy ensures you get the treatment you need before cancer worsens or spreads.
A well-woman exam also allows us to provide you with resources that help you improve your quality of life. We can recommend ways to lose weight, improve nutrition, and boost sexual vitality.
Dr. Reddy can also help you prepare your body for pregnancy when you are ready to grow your family.
If you have not had a well-woman exam in more than a year, call the Alpha OB GYN office near you to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online today.
