WOMEN’S WELLNESS EXAMS

Annual wellness exams are an important way to stay healthy and address any medical concerns as early possible. In addition to seeing your primary care physician each year, you should also have regular gynecological exams, starting at 18 years old or no more than three years from becoming sexually active. This page has information on what to expect from your women’s wellness visit, so you can be comfortable, confident, and in charge of your health.

Tips to Prepare

  • Ask questions - being informed is the best way to be involved in your health and healthcare. And if you’re nervous about anything, asking questions can help you feel more comfortable.

  • Be honest and open - accurate information about your sexual history and health habits is very important to provide you the best medical care. Our team is here to help, not to judge.

  • Trust your instincts - if you’ve noticed a change in your body, bring it up, as you know your body best

  • Don’t be embarrassed - gynecological health is just another part of your overall health

Overall visit

The first part of your exam is very similar to any doctor’s visit. A nurse will take your height, weight, and blood pressure, and may ask you some other basic questions about your health history. The nurse will then bring you to a private exam room, where you will change into a hospital gown for the physical exams.

Once you have changed, Dr. Drake will come in and ask you some more general health questions. She will also ask about your menstrual cycle and your sexual activity. While these questions may seem personal, they are important to providing you the best medical care possible, and it is important to answer honestly and completely. Also make sure to ask any questions you may have.

After the interview, Dr. Drake will get you set up for your breast and pelvic exams. If you prefer, a nurse, friend, or family member can stay in the room with you during the exams.

Breast exam

The breast exam helps to find any unusual lumps or bumps, which can identify potential concerns early on. Dr. Drake will examine each breast for growths or other potential issues, like tenderness or discharge. If you’ve ever done a self-examination, it feels basically the same; there is some pressure, but it should not be painful or uncomfortable. You can also ask Dr. Drake to show you how to do a monthly self-exam. If you’ve noticed any changes in your breasts, you should tell Dr. Drake.

Pelvic exam & Pap test

The pelvic exam and Pap test check on the overall health of your cervix and vagina. You should get a pelvic exam every year; if you are 21-65, you should get a Pap smear at least every three years.

For the pelvic exam, Dr. Drake will ask you to move to the edge of the exam table and to put your feet in footrests attached to the table. The doctor then uses a tool called a speculum to gently open your vagina so she can examine the area. Specula come in different sizes, and your exam will use the size that makes it as comfortable as possible. Wearing gloves and using lubricant, the doctor will place one or two fingers into your vagina, using the other hand to press on your abdomen and feel your internal organs. While some people find this uncomfortable, it should not hurt, and it is a fairly quick process. If you are able to, trying to relax will help make the exam more comfortable as well. Let Dr. Drake know if you are feeling any pain or strong discomfort.

If you need a Pap test, then Dr. Drake will use a long cotton swab to collect some cells from your cervix, at the top of your vagina. Like the pelvic exams, Pap smears can be a little uncomfortable, but should not be painful. The cells are then sent to a lab, which checks them for any abnormalities or early signs of cancer.

CONTACT US

We look forward to meeting you. Please fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch shortly to schedule your appointment with Dr. Drake.