Start the New Year By Protecting Your Health: Why Women’s Wellness Exams Matter

As women, part of keeping yourself healthy includes getting a women's wellness exam regularly. While it may seem unnecessary to visit your gynecologist annually in addition to your primary care physician, well-woman visits actually cover different things, making both a vital part of your health care.  

If you haven’t had a women’s wellness visit in quite some time, our team at the Center for Women’s Health Richmond in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, wants to invite you back to our practice for a check-in and exam. 

Learn what you can expect from a wellness visit and why it’s so beneficial for your health here. 

What’s included in a women’s wellness exam?

Annual physical exams that you get at your primary care physician’s office take a general look at your overall health, examining your heart, lungs, skin, abdomen, and any other areas of concern. These check-ups can sometimes include breast or pelvic exams, but they’re not the main goal of the visit. 

However, a women’s wellness exam takes a specific interest in things that affect you as a woman. 

Every exam includes a breast exam, pelvic exam, and urine analysis along with a weight, height, and vitals check. We also discuss and answer any questions you may have about any of these topics: 

• Sexual health and activity
• Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs)
• Contraception options
• Menstrual cycle concerns
• Fertility issues
• Healthy hormone levels
• Menopause management
• Vaccine updates
• Emotional health and well-being

Your wellness visit can also include any necessary screenings for uterine fibroids or polyps, urinary tract infections (UTIs), perimenopause, human papillomavirus (HPV), or cervical cancer. 

Why you need regular women's wellness exams

When you see us for wellness visits regularly, it allows you to build a trusting relationship with our team before any serious health issues arise. That way, when you do find yourself struggling with infertility, hormone imbalances, or cancer concerns, our team is already familiar with your health history, making it much easier to diagnose and treat subsequent health issues. 

You should be seeing our team every year for a wellness visit starting in adolescence. This allows you to voice any concerns you’ve had over the past year and make any necessary changes to your health care, like trying out a new contraceptive or starting one of our nutrition plans. 

You can certainly see us more often than once a year if you become pregnant or have other gynecological concerns. Commit to making your health a priority this year by scheduling your next women’s wellness exam today. Simply call your nearest office location or use our online booking feature.