Heights OBGYN

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The importance of the annual well-woman exam.

Your annual well-woman exam is important. In fact, it’s a fundamental part of preventative care. Several vital assessments take place during this visit, including a health check, a physical exam, and health screenings.

If you no longer need a yearly pap smear, you might be wondering if you still need an annual well-woman exam. Here are five important reasons make us part of your plans every year.

  • Preventive healthcare is vital to your quality of life. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is still true today. Preventive care helps our ObGyns discover risk factors for certain diseases and educate you about a healthy lifestyle.
  • During your annual well-woman exam, we’ll assess your overall health. Our physicians care about more than your reproductive health. We’re concerned about every aspect of your health, including blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes.
  • This appointment provides an opportunity to discuss and assess your reproductive health. Every year, your reproductive health needs may change. For example, you may want to reassess your birth control options, discuss preconception planning or the symptoms of menopause.
  • It’s the perfect time to build a trusting relationship with our physicians. Your health depends on you providing complete and honest information during your annual well-woman exam. Talking about intimate subjects becomes easier when you see our physicians annually and develop a trusting partnership.
  • Your well-woman exam includes essential health screenings. We generally perform a Pap smear, along with an HPV test, every five years for women between the ages of 30 and 65, but it varies from patient to patient. Our physicians also provide the following screenings as needed:
    • Breast cancer and cancer screening
    • Screenings for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs
    • Mental health screening
    • Osteoporosis screening

Now that you know how important an annual well-woman visit is for your overall health, it’s time to contact us to request an appointment. Our staff and caring team of OBGYNs are here to help you achieve your best health.