Well Woman Exam

What is a Well-Woman Exam?

A well-woman exam is your opportunity to take charge of your reproductive health. These routine visits at Woodglen Medical Group help your provider monitor your body so that any signs of disease can receive prompt treatment.

Well-woman exams focus on screening for cancer, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and other issues that may threaten your health. It’s also an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you may have about your sexual and reproductive health in an unbiased environment.

Who Needs a Well-Woman Exam?

It’s important to schedule routine gynecological exams, whether you’re sexually active or not. It’s recommended that young women get their first exam around ages 13-15, or whenever their menstrual cycles begin.

The compassionate OB/GYNs at Woodglen Medical Group care for women of all ages, from adolescence through the post-menopausal years. Even if your periods have stopped permanently, well-woman exams still include important preventive care services, such as bone density testing, to help you stay healthy.

What Should I Expect During a Well-Woman Exam?

The specific services performed during your well-woman exam depend on your age and medical history. For example, women under age 21 may only receive a physical exam and review of their menstrual cycles, while women over 21 may also receive a Pap test and pelvic exam.

Well-woman exams give you an opportunity to ask your provider about any unusual symptoms, such as abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Bleeding in between periods or after sex, or having irregular periods, are symptoms of AUB that you should mention during your exam.

What Should I Expect From a Pap Test?

Pap tests last only a few minutes and play an essential role in preventing cervical cancer. If you’re over age 30, your Pap test may also include human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.

During a Pap test, your provider at Woodglen Medical Group inserts a speculum inside your vagina and gently swabs your cervix to collect a cell sample. Then, they send the sample to a laboratory to look for abnormal changes.

Results of your Pap test should come back within a couple of weeks. Normal results mean there were no unusual changes to your cervical cells and you don’t have to do anything until your next scheduled well-woman exam.

Abnormal results don’t mean you have cancer, but the team at Woodglen Medical Group may recommend additional testing, such as a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, your provider uses a special instrument called a colposcope to examine your cervix. If they find tissue that looks abnormal, they may take a small biopsy.

Early detection increases your chances of beating cancer. Call Woodglen Medical Group to schedule your next well-woman exam or book online today.