Why Is a Routine Well-Woman Exam So Important?

When you come to see our team at Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology in Amarillo, Texas, for your yearly well-woman exam, you can expect comprehensive care for your reproductive health that may include: 

• Preventive screenings (i.e., Pap smear and mammogram) 
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and testing
• Expert guidance on menstruation and fertility concerns 
• Family planning counseling and contraception information 
• Sexual wellness support tailored to your current life stage

But evaluating your reproductive health is just part of this important check-up; your annual women’s wellness visit is also the perfect opportunity to ask about whatever’s on your mind and seek expert guidance for health issues that matter most to you right now. 

Here, we take a closer look at the various aspects of a well-woman exam that make this annual appointment an invaluable part of every woman’s health routine.

Regular preventive screenings

A well-woman visit includes a general physical (i.e., measuring vitals), a standard pelvic exam, and a clinical breast exam. Depending on your age and health history, you may also undergo routine Pap and/or HPV testing to screen for cervical cancer and a mammogram to screen for breast cancer. 

Cervical and breast cancer screenings may not be done annually, so your exam won’t always include them. Other preventive screenings — such as a bone density scan for osteoporosis — may be recommended once you’ve reached menopause.

Recommended immunizations

Your well-woman visit can keep you on track with recommended immunizations. Depending on your age, vaccination history, and pregnancy status, you may benefit from vaccines that protect against HPV, shingles, hepatitis B, influenza, and tetanus.

Guidance for menstrual issues

A well-woman exam is the ideal time to discuss menstrual cycle concerns. We can get to the bottom of — and provide treatment for — intense period cramps, bleeding between periods, a disruptively heavy flow, painful periods, severe PMS, and period stoppage.

Tailored sexual health support

Female sexual health covers a range of topics, including STD prevention and testing, birth control and family planning, and overall sexual wellness concerns like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, libido (sex drive) changes, and relationship health. No topic is off-limits — we’re here to provide insight, information, and expert guidance. 

Family health history analysis 

A well-woman exam aims to get a complete picture of your reproductive health, including relevant aspects of your family history. When we learn about the occurrence of breast cancer, PCOS, endometriosis, and other female health conditions in close family members, our care approach can be even more individually tailored to you. 

Lifestyle guidance and support 

Your well-woman visit also covers your lifestyle patterns (i.e., diet, exercise, sleep), harmful habits (i.e., smoking, alcohol use), and modifiable attributes (i.e., body weight, stress). 

Your general health and reproductive health are closely linked, and both can be improved — or undermined — by your lifestyle. We provide specific guidance and support to help you improve your health so you can have an easier time with conception, pregnancy, childbirth, general aging, and menopause. 

Space to discuss any concerns 

Health and wellness concerns happen at every age and stage of life, and your well-woman visit is a good time to discuss anything you’re worried about. This includes:

• Conception and fertility troubles 
• Unusual symptoms (i.e., pelvic pain)
• Treatment options for menopause
• Urinary incontinence; chronic UTIs 

Again, no topic is off-limits; we’re also here to offer support and help for mental health concerns and emotional stressors. 

Continued health monitoring 

Your annual well-woman visit provides a snapshot of your overall health and well-being at this moment in time. As you continue attending yearly appointments, these snapshots compile into a more complete picture that essentially tracks your health over time and helps us identify (and treat) potential issues earlier. 

When it comes to supporting and protecting your health today, tomorrow, and in the years to come, your routine well-woman exam has you covered. Call 806-359-5468 to schedule a visit at Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology today.