The Importance of an Annual Well-Woman Exam

A regular well-woman exam is key to maintaining your health and catching potential problems early – when they’re most treatable. At Luxe Women’s Health, Jennifer Wright-Bennion, CNM, APRN, offers comprehensive care for women in all stages of life.

In this month’s blog, she explains why well-woman exams are so important and what to expect when you come in for one at our office here in Queen Creek, Arizona.

What is a well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam is a health checkup that focuses on your reproductive and sexual health. It’s a standard part of our primary and preventive care services to help optimize your overall well-being. 

Even if you feel great, underlying issues may develop that could lead to more serious problems. By scheduling an annual well-woman exam with Jennifer, you can catch potential problems early when they’re most treatable.

Here’s what you can expect when you schedule a well-woman visit with her. 

What happens during a well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam has several components to evaluate your gynecological health:

Open discussion

Your visit begins with an open conversation about your overall health. Jennifer asks about your lifestyle, menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and any health concerns or symptoms you're experiencing, such as pelvic pain or irregular periods. The more information you share, the more effectively our team can assess your health and provide appropriate care.

Physical exam

Next, Jennifer conducts a general physical exam, checking your vital signs, including your blood pressure, heart rate, and weight. This enables her to assess how well your body is functioning and identify any early signs of possible issues.

Pelvic exam

During your pelvic exam, Jennifer manually checks your reproductive organs to look for infections, fibroids, or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This step makes sure your reproductive system is healthy.

Pap smear

A Pap smear is a routine test to screen for cervical cancer. Jennifer collects a small sample of cells from your cervix and sends it to a lab for evaluation. Early detection of abnormal cells can help Jennifer implement treatment to stop the progression of cervical cancer.

Breast exam

Jennifer performs a short breast exam, checking for lumps. She’ll also teach you how to do a breast self-exam at home so you can check yourself between annual visits.

Birth control

If you’re interested in contraception, discuss your options with Jennifer. She’ll help you choose the best method based on your health, age, lifestyle, and future family goals.

The importance of a well-woman exam

A well-woman exam is important to your overall health because it:

• Detects problems early
• Provides preventive measures to reduce future health risks
• Monitors reproductive health
• Includes contraceptive counseling
• Screens for and educate about STDs
• Helps manage the transition through menopause

Your annual exam is also a great time to discuss any concerns you have about your sex life.

You can trust our skilled and knowledgeable team for personalized women’s primary care and comprehensive annual well-woman exams. Click to schedule an appointment at Luxe Women’s Health or call for more information.