What is a well-woman exam?
A well-woman exam is a comprehensive check of your total body health, with a special emphasis on your gynecological health. A well-woman exam involves a complete physical with special attention to the:
- Uterus
- Bladder
- Vulva
- Breasts
Yearly well-woman check-ins are an important way to take care of your overall health.
A well-woman exam is part of your total preventive health care plan. It involves examination and screenings to ensure your reproductive organs are healthy and operating appropriately at each particular stage of life. Dr. Ramirez provides family planning and birth control services, too, so you’re in control of your reproductive life.
Why should I schedule a well-woman exam?
An annual exam may seem like an inconvenience, but it protects you from long-term complications and helps you avoid preventable conditions. Dr. Ramirez runs on time and gives you the respect you deserve. He answers any questions you may have about your health and avoids wasting time on the day of your visit. Keeping waiting times to a minimum is a priority of his office staff.
A well-woman exam is also a time at which Dr. Ramirez may identify health problems that could escalate if not dealt with right away. Many conditions, such as irregular cervical cells or sexually transmitted diseases, are easily treatable in their early stages but can be harder to address as they progress.
What preventive screenings are part of a well-woman exam?
Dr. Ramirez offers a variety of important health screenings as part of a well-woman exam. You may request these screenings, or he may identify symptoms that make him recommend them.
You may undergo:
- Pap smear to check for irregular cells that may turn into cervical cancer
- Testing for sexually transmitted diseases
- Genetic screening
- Breast cancer screening, including a clinical exam and referral for a mammogram
- Ultrasound screening
- Perimenopause and menopause evaluation
Dr. Ramirez also offers colon cancer screening recommendations based on your family history, age, and family history.
When should I begin well-woman exams?
A girl benefits from having her first well-woman exam between the ages of 13-15. This first visit includes a general physical and a discussion of sexuality and any gynecological concerns. It does not include a pelvic exam.
Yearly well-woman exams continue, with pelvic exams and Pap smears starting around age 21. Well-woman exams continue through pregnancy, your middle years, perimenopause, and post-menopause. The specific screenings and health concerns change with your age, but your need for expert care never changes.
If you’re in need of an annual well-woman exam, call Diego Ramirez OBGYN PLLC for an appointment or schedule online.
