At different stages of your life, you’ll need different kinds of care. Especially when it comes to your reproductive health care. Think birth control, pregnancy care, mammograms and osteoporosis (weak bones) prevention. Well-woman visits are a yearly check-in with your doctor to discuss these needs.
Well-woman visits also focus on prevention. They screen for general health risks and those specific to your individual age, health and lifestyle. That’s why you should have a well-woman visit once a year. Even if you don’t have any symptoms or concerns. It gives your doctor a chance to catch and prevent health problems.
You can see either your Ob/Gyn or your primary care provider for a well-woman checkup. It’s up to you, so you can choose whom you’re most comfortable with.
During your appointment, you’ll have a full physical exam. But a well-woman visit is more than just a physical. It also includes screenings like a:
Pelvic exam
Pap test (cervical cancer screening) when needed
Breast exam
And, depending on your age and individual health, you may also be screened for:
Other types of cancer (Like a mammogram to screen for breast cancer)
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Depresión
Relationship violence
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Your doctor will ask questions about your health history and lifestyle. They’ll discuss any issues and treatments, and answer questions about your concerns. Then, based on your exam and discussion, your doctor can help you set personal health goals.
Here’s where you can take a more active role in your health care. Do a little “health homework” to prep for your appointment. Before your well-woman visit, it helps if you:
Know your family’s health history
Bring a list a questions
Think whole health; plan to discuss your mental health, lifestyle and habits
Bring a friend or family member, a notepad, or a use a smartphone to help remember details of your visit
When you make a list of questions for your doctor, don’t be shy. This is your chance to ask about everything from STDs to pregnancy to menopause. Here are some example questions to get you started:
Which birth control options are right for me?
How can I protect myself from STDs?
Am I due for any vaccines?
Which health screenings do I need and how often?
What can I do about my premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms?
What can I do to help myself get pregnant?
How can I reach my health goals?
Which health goal should I focus on most?
What are the signs of an unhealthy relationship?
Where can I go for help with my mental health?
Try to be open and honest with your doctor. If you aren’t, your doctor may not be able to give you the care you really need. And you deserve better than that. What you discuss will stay private. And it’s a key part of how you and your doctor can work as a team to keep you healthy.
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