Women’s Gynecology Services
Women’s Annual Exams
Your annual well-woman exam is the foundation for preventative care. Call us at 804-897-2100 or set an appointment online.
Staying on Top of Your Health with Annual Well-Woman Visits
Women’s annual exams, also known as well-woman visits, should be on your list of routine health checks to get every year. Even if you aren’t having any problems or experiencing any symptoms, these appointments can give you peace of mind. A gynecology annual exam can also help you catch issues early, which can improve your health outcomes in the long run.
When Should You Get Your First Women’s Yearly Exam?
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), you should get your first women’s health exam when you’re between 13 and 15 years old.
This first visit likely won’t include a pelvic exam unless you’re experiencing pain or other symptoms. And if you aren’t experiencing any pain or are uncomfortable seeing a gynecologist, it’s okay to wait until the end of high school. By the age of 19, you should start getting annual breast and pelvic exams, and pap tests should begin around age 21.
What Can You Expect at Your Annual Exam?
During your female annual exam , you’ll have your blood pressure checked as well as your weight. Your doctor may perform a pelvic exam and/or breast exam—though as mentioned above, you may not need a pelvic exam if you’re young and not experiencing any pain or discomfort. Depending on your age and whether or not you have a history of breast cancer in your family, your provider may recommend a mammogram as well.
If needed, your OBGYN might also perform a Pap test to look for any abnormalities on the cervix. They may also wish to talk about your overall health and get an update on your family medical history.
Your OBGYN check up is also a great time to get STD testing, talk to your doctor about family planning, review any bleeding abnormalities, or discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.
Depending on your concerns or symptoms, your provider might suggest getting lab work done to try to pinpoint the cause. We offer lab work on site, and we also have in-house bone density testing and mammography at several of our locations. When scheduling your appointment, be sure to ask about these additional services. For your convenience, you may be able to schedule them at the same time and same location.
Insurance Coverage for Annual Well-Woman Exams
Most insurance carriers cover well-woman exams in full. Be sure to check your coverage for preventive care prior to making an appointment.
To make an appointment with a VPFW provider, call us at 804-897-2100 or schedule an appointment online.