What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

Reading Time: 2 min

There’s no specific age to begin having well-woman visits. You might start having these critical annual checkups as a teenager, or you might wait until you become sexually active or reach a milestone birthday like 18 or 21. Regardless of your age, understanding what happens during a well-woman exam can help you feel more prepared and confident about your health care.Here at All Day Medical Care, our experienced and compassionate providers offer well-woman exams to help you understand, navigate, and prevent female health issues as your body changes. Here’s what to expect during your annual well-woman visit:

A physical

After a clinical staff member measures your height, weight, and blood pressure, you go to a private room and change into a paper robe. We check your breasts for lumps and examine your abdomen and thyroid gland. We often order blood and urine tests before or after your appointment to check your thyroid function, glucose, liver, and cholesterol.

Let’s talk about sex

Your well-woman appointment is an excellent opportunity to get information about birth control, STD prevention, and how to prepare your body for pregnancy. Our team is a valuable resource to help you learn about your body, ask questions, and get accurate, useful information. After all, there are some topics you don’t want to share with your friends, sisters, or mother.

Is your menstrual cycle normal?

You know that your menstrual cycle should last 28 days or so, but what if your cycle is longer or shorter? What if you have such severe cramps or heavy bleeding that you need to stay home from work or school?

Our team can answer questions about your menstrual cycle and discuss any concerns or questions regarding your menstrual health. We can also diagnose reproductive health problems like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other conditions that cause abnormal periods and provide personalized treatment.

Preventive health screenings

Our team provides screenings, evaluations, counseling, and immunizations based on your age and risk factors. For example, you should begin to have Pap smears to screen for early signs of cervical cancer when you become sexually active or turn 21. We also recommend starting breast exams to detect signs of breast cancer around your 21st birthday. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to have a Pap smear every year. Your provider can give you personalized advice on Pap smears.

We also offer STD screenings upon request or if you have an elevated risk. Most STDs, like cervical cancer, don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. These screenings are the best way to get early diagnosis and treatment.

Medical history review

We also review your family and personal health history. Your answers help us put together a risk assessment that determines what health screenings you need and how often you need them.

Ready to schedule your first annual well-woman exam? Give us a call or schedule your appointment online today.

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

Autor

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

This article was prepared with the All Day Medical Care Clinic Team and its experienced clinic providers, ensuring accurate and reliable health information.

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Anxiety, and Depression

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Anxiety, and Depression

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

What is Common Cold?

What is Common Cold?

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

What is Mindfulness? Best Practice for Greater Well-being

What is Mindfulness? Best Practice for Greater Well-being

The Importance of Self-Care In Managing Stress

The Importance of Self-Care In Managing Stress

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

Types of Work Injuries

Types of Work Injuries

How Mental Health Issues Affect Men Differently

How Mental Health Issues Affect Men Differently

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Healthcare Workers

Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Healthcare Workers

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Should I Be Tested for COVID-19?

Should I Be Tested for COVID-19?

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

How to Cope with Chronic Illness During the Holiday Season

How to Cope with Chronic Illness During the Holiday Season

Guide to Treatment-Resistant STDs for Active Adults

Guide to Treatment-Resistant STDs for Active Adults

 Rett Syndrome

 Rett Syndrome

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression

Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

This will close in 0 seconds

We'll text you

Enter your info and we’ll text you shortly.

By clicking Send, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and I consent to receiving text messages from this practice acknowledging that data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.