Women’s Health A-Z
Annual Exams & Well-Woman Care
Annual exams, also known as a well-woman visit, should be an important part of any woman’s health care routine. Annual appointments include important physical exams and preventive screenings. They also offer an opportunity to discuss any changes, concerns, or future plans with your physician.
What to Expect
A typical well-woman visit includes a breast exam and a pelvic exam. It may also include needed preventive screenings or tests, including but not limited to a pap test, STD testing, and lab work. During this visit, your physician is looking for any abnormalities or changes that could indicate a health issue.
Make the Most of Your Well-Woman Visit
The best way to make the most of your visit is to be open and honest with your physician. If you have a question or concern, don’t be afraid to bring it up! For example, if you are considering trying to become pregnant soon, now is a great time to talk about it. If there have been updates to your family’s medical history or if you have questions about emotional health, take advantage of having a listening and caring person with expert medical knowledge available.
Find Out What Services Are Available
When you have to juggle home life, work life, and other of life’s many obligations and activities, convenience is key. Be sure to ask your provider what services are offered so that you can find opportunities to limit the number of trips you need to make to the doctor’s office. For example, VPFW offers mammograms, bone density screening, and lab work, so it’s easy to schedule all of your annual appointment for one day.