Well Woman Exams

A well-woman exam is an essential part of preventive care for teens and women. The physicians at the Center for Women’s Health provide well-woman exams and health screenings with expertise and compassion. The Center for Women’s Health offers outstanding care to women of all ages at their offices in Sugar Land, and Richmond, Texas. Schedule your annual well-woman exam, by calling the office or scheduling a consultation online today.

What is a well-woman exam?

Like an annual physical, a well-woman exam is an integral part of preventive healthcare. Your well-woman exam is an opportunity for your gynecologist to identify any health problems in the early stages when treatment is most likely to be successful. 

It is also an opportunity to discuss your reproductive health with your doctor, ask questions, and address any new symptoms or concerns.

What happens during a well-woman exam?

During your well-woman visit, your caring physician reviews your complete health history and performs a pelvic exam and a breast exam. Depending on your individual needs, your well-woman visit may also include:

• Pap smear
• Blood work
• Urinalysis
• Contraception counseling
• Menopause management

Your annual well-woman visit also gives your provider the opportunity to discuss with you important topics that affect your health. These topics may include:

• Nutrition
• Physical activity
• Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use
• Relationship and family issues
• Sexual activity and STDs
• Vaccination

Your well-woman visit is a good time to ask questions and discuss any concerns you have with your provider. 

How often should I have a well-woman exam?

The experts at the Center for Women’s Health recommend that women and girls over the age of 13 have a well-woman exam every year. The first adolescent visits typically do not include a pelvic exam.

Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have a Pap smear every three to five years. If you have a family history of gynecologic health conditions or you have had an abnormal Pap test, your provider may recommend more frequent exams.

Which conditions can be detected during a well-woman visit?

Your well-woman exam and health screenings can indicate that you may have a gynecologic condition such as:

• Uterine fibroids or polyps
• Ovarian cysts
• Urinary tract issues
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Perimenopause or menopause
• Cervical and other reproductive system cancers

A physical exam and health screenings usually do not provide a concrete diagnosis of a health condition. Typically, additional diagnostics, such as blood work, an ultrasound, or a tissue biopsy, are needed to confirm a diagnosis.

A well-woman exam is essential for your reproductive and sexual health. Schedule your next well-woman visit by calling the Center for Women’s Health, or use the online scheduler to make an appointment at the office nearest you today.