Well Woman Care
Well woman care is key to health management and disease detection and prevention throughout your life. The well woman exam is a good time for your health care provider to screen you for potential reproductive health problems, to answer your questions, and to discuss your concerns.
The well woman exam typically includes the following components:
Reviews
Basic History and Physical
Your health care provider will ask you a few questions about your sexual, medical, and family history and then will perform a very basic physical exam to check your overall health. It includes measurement of weight and blood pressure, as they can influence menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and contraceptive or hormone replacement choices.
Review of medications
Your health care provide will review your current medications, herbs, and supplements (bring list) and discuss the need for any new or refilled medications.
Breast Exam
Your health care provider will inspect and press on your breasts and your arm pits while your arms are in various positions.
Pelvic Exam with Pap Test
Your health care provider will examine your reproductive organs for problems and check you for cervical cancer.
Contraceptive Counseling
You can discuss what, if any, contraceptives you wish to use.
Menopause and Midlife Counseling
If you are over age 45 or having perimenopausal symptoms, your health care provider should discuss the risks and benefits of your using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to restore the estrogen and progesterone that decrease toward menopause. He or she should also discuss lifestyle habits that affect the perimenopause transition period.
Laboratory Testing
Standard urine and blood screens may be done.
