Well Woman Exams
Our well woman exam is just one of the services we provide at Serenity Gynecology. This area of our care focuses on both common and little-known conditions discovered in the reproductive organs in children, teens and adult females.
Here are six basics you should know regarding a well woman exam.
1. It’s all about preventive health
As you age, your body changes and experiences new challenges. A well woman visit helps you to understand your own personal health threats and how to avoid them.
2. It’s a time to ask questions
It’s a time to discuss your stress levels, nutrition, mood, medications, sex life, family’s health history – nothing is off the table. This information helps your health care provider determine what’s important to you and what he or she should screen you for.
3. A good relationship with your provider is key
Your provider should meet you in the middle and show a genuine interest in your health, with no judgment. Allowing yourself to build trust in that relationship will increase the likelihood of a satisfactory visit.
4. It’s not always just one appointment
While the well-woman visit is often talked about as a single, annual visit, it doesn’t always stop there. For example, if you’ve got a history of breast cancer in your family, your provider might decide that you should get a mammogram.
5. You shouldn’t be charged for certain preventive services, including well woman visits
Under the Affordable Care Act, preventive services should be covered by insurance with no out-of-pocket costs. Be sure to say you’re coming in for a well woman visit when you schedule your appointment(s).
6. The contents of your well-woman visit are up to you and your provider
As far as services go, your visit(s) could include any/some of the following depending on your current health status:
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Contraceptive counseling
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Alcohol misuse screening
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Blood pressure screening
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Cholesterol screening
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Depression screening
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Nutrition and diet counseling
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HIV screening
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Vaccines and immunizations
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STI screening
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The care of our female patients is performed in a positive, healing environment, utilizing a team approach. We are aware that there are some gynecologic problems and conditions that are unique to a specific age group and therefore require different skills than those needed when treating adults.
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Our goal is to provide compassionate and quality healthcare to our patients of all ages. Our expertise in this area, together with our state-of-the-art technology, permits us to customize each treatment plan according to our patient’s unique situation.
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With each patient we treat, we pay special attention to the protection of her future fertility and reproductive abilities. We recommend that our young patients have a well woman exam within a year after she has her first menstrual period, which typically occurs around the age of 12.