Annual Visits
No matter your stage of life, the annual visit is your time to pause and focus on your health and wellness.
In addition to being specialists in female reproductive systems, Ob-Gyns are considered primary care physicians and take a holistic approach to help women be as healthy as possible.
Your doctor may ask questions about your eating habits, physical activity, tobacco use and mental health as well as menstrual cycles, sexual history and birth control. As part of the visit, your physician or nurse practitioner will gauge your overall health. Information on height, weight and blood pressure are gathered at each visit as part of a general exam. Most annual visits will include routine blood and urine tests as well.
The comprehensive exam typically includes a breast exam, an external genital exam and pelvic exam to look for any abnormal changes. To look inside the vagina and examine the cervix, the doctor will use a speculum. The doctor will also check the position of internal organs using gloved fingers. While this can be uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful.
Depending on your age, risk factors and history, your provider may recommend certain screening tests such as pap tests or mammograms. They may also recommend vaccines against diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), flu, HPV and hepatitis.
The pap test is performed during the pelvic exam using a brush to gather a sample. Those cells are analyzed for abnormal changes that could lead to cancer. The test is usually recommended around age 21 and repeated annually or on a schedule based on a woman’s risk factors and history.
Taking all the information from your exam and medical history, you and your doctor may discuss tests, procedures, medications or lifestyle changes based on your age and plans for the future. That could include changes in birth control, preparations for a healthy pregnancy, procedures to address painful periods or medications to address menopausal symptoms. As part of this conversation, you and your doctor will discuss the benefits and potential harms to treatment as well as your concerns, preferences and priorities.
FAQs
+ When should girls have their first visits?
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that girls have their first gynecological visits between 13 and 15. Most teens won’t need a pelvic exam unless they are experiencing abnormal bleeding or pain. Generally, young women do not need a pelvic exam until they are sexually active or reach age 21.
+ What information do I need to share with my medical team?
Your team will want to know the first day of your last menstrual cycle and anything that has changed with your personal medical history since your last visit. It’s often helpful to bring a list of your medications and concerns you wish to discuss during your visit.
+ Does insurance cover the annual exam?
Most insurance covers annual exams as part of preventive health care benefits. It’s important for the visit to be coded as an annual or wellness exam. Recommended screening tests like mammograms and pap tests are covered under preventive health care as well for those who meet the guidelines.
