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.

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

What is Croup?

What is Croup?

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

How Can You Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress?

How Can You Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress?

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

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

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

Secondary Trauma: Help Others, Protect Yourself

Secondary Trauma: Help Others, Protect Yourself

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

What are Anger Issues?

What are Anger Issues?

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

Guide to Treatment-Resistant STDs for Active Adults

Guide to Treatment-Resistant STDs for Active Adults

What is Common Cold?

What is Common Cold?

Diet and Mental Health: How Nutrition Shapes Your Well-Being

Diet and Mental Health: How Nutrition Shapes Your Well-Being

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

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

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

Effective Heat Rash Treatment and Prevention

Effective Heat Rash Treatment and Prevention

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

Tips for a Stress-Free and Enjoyable Holiday Season

Tips for a Stress-Free and Enjoyable Holiday Season

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?

Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

5 Steps for Heart Health: Fight Coronary Disease

5 Steps for Heart Health: Fight Coronary Disease

9 Tips to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – And Why It’s Important

9 Tips to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – And Why It’s Important

See Your Doctor from the Comfort of Your Home

See Your Doctor from the Comfort of Your Home

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

Can Therapy Save My Marriage?

Can Therapy Save My Marriage?

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

The Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

The Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

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.