Well Woman Exam Q & A

​

What is an annual well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam is a chance for you to discuss your general and reproductive health with your friendly and knowledgeable gynecologist at Total Women’s Health & Wellness Center. Routine gynecological exams can help prevent problems or detect them early when they’re easiest to treat.

​

What happens during a well-woman exam?

What happens at your well-woman exam depends on factors such as your age and medical history. In general, you can expect the following:

• Birth control counseling if you’re sexually active

• Screenings for breast, cervical, and other types of cancer

• Vaccinations, including the HPV vaccine for women younger than 24

• Screenings for depression and other mental health issues

• Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

​

What happens during a pelvic exam?

Pelvic exams are a routine part of your well-woman visit. After age 21 a PAP Smear will be collected as part of your wellness exam. During a pelvic exam, Dr. Carmichael or Dr. Johnson checks your reproductive organs, including the vulva, vagina, and cervix.

You lay on your back on the exam table with your feet elevated in supports. Dr. Carmichael or Dr. Johnson begins by checking your vulva and vaginal opening for anything abnormal, such as genital warts.

Then, they insert a speculum into your vagina and gently spread it to view your cervix. Then, Dr. Carmichael or Dr. Johnson performs a Pap smear by swabbing a small sample of cells from your cervix. They can also use another swab to perform an STD test at the same time. They send these cell samples to a laboratory for testing.

After they remove the speculum, Dr. Carmichael or Dr. Johnson inserts one or two fingers into your vagina while gently pressing on your abdomen. This checks for any pain, lumps, or unusual inflammation.

If you’re due for an annual well-woman exam, call Total Women’s Health & Wellness Center or book an appointment online today.