The annual well women exam is a fundamental part of the women’s health.

Well women exam aids in identifying medical problems, recognizing certain risk factors for specific diseases, and promoting healthy life style and preventative screenings.

Almost all insurance companies cover the cost of the annual exam without co-pays or deductibles. Women ages 21 and older are recommended to have pap smear test yearly. The best time for the annual exam is the week after your period ends. Pap smear cannot be obtained if you are menstruating. It is also recommended not to have intercourse or use vaginal creams 24-48 hours before your visit.

The annual well women exam is composed of:

Obtaining the patient’s vital signs (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure)
Updating the patient’s health history. (You will be asked about your illnesses, surgeries, allergies, medications, hospitalizations, family history, contraceptive history, the last time you had pap smear and mammogram, the first day of your last period and any complaints you have at the time of the visit)
Obtaining a urine specimen and urine dipstick test (Your urine will be tested for the presence of glucose, nitrite, albumin, blood, leukocytes, urobilinogen, pH, and specific gravity)
Clinical breast exam
Obtaining pap smear and HPV
Pelvic exam to examine the uterus and ovaries internally and abdominal exam if indicated
Counseling specific to patient needs such as birth control, protection from STD’s, menopause etc.

The Pap smear test is done to detect any abnormal cervical cells. If the result comes positive, it does not mean that you definitely have cervical cancer. If the result is abnormal, the physician may want to perform colposcopy or repeat the pap smear. Colposcope is a special magnifying device helps the physician to observe the cervix closely. A small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the cervix if the physician identifies any abnormality.

If your physician feels any lumps or abnormality during the clinical breast exam, he may order mammogram or breast ultrasound. Patients ages 40 and over will be prescribed a baseline mammogram.

Preventative screenings are very important for early detection. Health problems that are caught early can be treated more effectively. Schedule your annual visit with your gynecologist to ensure your physical and reproductive well being.

For more information obout the annual well women exam please log on to http://www.acog.org/-/media/Departments/Annual-Womens-Health-Care/PrimaryAndPreventiveCare.pdf

HPV is short for human papilloma virus and is consistent of more than 150 related viruses.

The most important step is that we inform you about HPV.

Men and Women?

Yes! Both men and women are equally susceptible to HPV. Nearly half of sexually active beings will be exposed to this virus at least once in their lifetime.

High Risk vs Low Risk

One detection of having Low Risk HPV, for both genders, would be genital warts. Most of the time the body clears itself of the virus and there’s no chronic damage. High Risk HPV, although most of the time it can lead to cancer, may not show any evidence at all of having it. In males, this can lead to cancer of the genitals, anus, or rectum. In females, this can lead to cervical cancer. It is very important that you give every attempt to prevent the transmission of HPV so that you and your sex partner, whether male or female, have one less cancer to worry about.

Transmission

Whether you are practicing vaginal or oral sex, the human papilloma virus can be spread through contact from infected genital skin, body fluids, and mucous membranes.

The next step should be to help prevent HPV from being spread or transmitted.

Testing

Visual Exam:to check for warts

PAP Smear: to sample cells taken from the cervix or vagina and analyze those cells to detect cancer or the chance of having cancer.

There are two HPV vaccines

Gardisil

It is suggested that this vaccine be distributed at menarche, and/or before sexual activity, and/or before exposure.

Cervarix

It is suggested to distribute between the age of menarche and no later than 25 years of age.

How does the vaccine help me

Protects against genital warts

Protects against most cervical and genital cancers

You should ask your doctor which vaccine is right for you.

Here are some tips so you can possibly put a stop to being diagnosed with HPV.

avoid having sex at an early age

avoid having multiple sex partners

avoid any sex partners who you think might have had multiple sex partners

The Annual Well Woman Exam

The annual well women exam is a fundamental part of the women’s health.

Well women exam aids in identifying medical problems, recognizing certain risk factors for specific diseases, and promoting healthy life style and preventative screenings.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV is short for human papilloma virus and is consistent of more than 150 related viruses.