Well-Woman Visits | Annual Exams

 

A key component of women’s health and well-being are well-woman visits, or what many women simply refer to as their annual exam with an OB-GYN.

What occurs at these visits will depend on your age, medical and sexual history, and any concerns you might have. We’ve outlined below what you might expect at a well-woman visit at various ages.

If you have any questions at all, we encourage you to contact your Women’s HealthFirst OB-GYN provider, the healthcare partner you can trust for all your women’s healthcare needs.

What to Expect at a Well-Woman Visit, Based on Your Age

It is recommended that the first well-woman visit occur at 18-21 years of age. Pelvic exams and Pap smears don’t typically begin until a woman is 21 years old and, depending on your previous Pap results and other factors, you may not need a Pap smear every year.

Under 35 Years Old

Your annual exam will include:

  • Pelvic and breast exams
  • Thin-prep Pap smears for those 21 years old or older
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) screening, if 21 years old or older
  • Blood pressure check
  • Height/weight measurement
  • Urine screening
  • Lab work may be requested, such as complete blood count (CBC) and thyroid screen (TSH)
  • Cholesterol screening every 3-5 years

Additional recommendations for women under 35 years of age:

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • STD screen, if more than one sexual partner in the past year
  • 1,200 mg of calcium and 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily
  • Annual dental exam
  • Immunizations:
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) once during adulthood, between the ages of 18-64; a tetanus booster every 10 years
    • Hepatitis B series, if sexually active or high risk
    • Hepatitis A, if high risk
    • Seasonal influenza vaccination, if desired or at risk
    • Cervical cancer vaccine, if 26 years old or older

35 - 49 Years Old

Your annual exam will include:

  • Pelvic and breast exam
  • Thin-prep Pap smear with HPV screening
  • Blood pressure check
  • Height/weight measurement
  • Urine screening
  • Lab work may be requested, such as complete blood count (CBC) and thyroid screen (TSH)
  • Cholesterol screening every 3-5 years
  • Screening for blood in stool, if there is a family history of colon cancer

Additional recommendations for women between the ages of 35 and 49:

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • Screening mammogram between the ages of 35-40, then yearly mammograms thereafter, typically beginning at age 40
  • STD screen, if more than one sexual partner in the past year
  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests, including HIV, for both partners (and prior to initiating sexual activity)
  • 1,200 mg of calcium and 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily
  • Bone density screening every 2 years, if at risk
  • Fasting blood sugar levels, if obese or with a family history of diabetes
  • Monthly skin mole self-exam (by a dermatologist every 3 years)
  • Annual dental exam
  • Immunizations:
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) once during adulthood, between the ages of 18-64; a tetanus booster every 10 years
    • Hepatitis B series, if sexually active or high risk
    • Hepatitis A, if high risk
    • Seasonal influenza vaccination, if desired or at risk

50 - 64 Years Old

Your annual exam will include:

  • Pelvic and breast exam
  • Thin-prep Pap smear with HPV screening
  • Blood pressure check
  • Height/weight measurement
  • Urine screening
  • Lab work may be requested, such as complete blood count (CBC), thyroid screen (TSH), and cholesterol screening
  • Screening for blood in stool

Additional recommendations for women between the ages of 50 and 64:

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • Annual mammogram
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if menopause symptoms are significant
  • Gonorrhea/chlamydia cultures, if more than one sexual partner in the past year
  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests, including HIV, for both partners (and prior to initiating sexual activity)
  • 1,500 mg of calcium and 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily
  • Fish oil supplements, with omega-3 fatty acids (DHA): one capsule daily
  • Antioxidant vitamins and low-dose (81 mg) enteric-coated aspirin for cardiovascular health
  • Bone density screening every 2 years, if at risk
  • Colonoscopy
  • Fasting blood sugar levels
  • Monthly skin mole self-exam (and by a dermatologist every 3 years)
  • Vision exam and glaucoma screening by an ophthalmologist every 2-4 years
  • Annual dental exam
  • Immunizations:
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) once during adulthood, between the ages of 18-64; a tetanus booster every 10 years
    • Pneumovax at age 65, or sooner if at risk
    • Seasonal influenza vaccination
    • Hepatitis B series, if sexually active or high risk
    • Hepatitis A, if high risk
    • Herpes Zoster, if desired or if 60 years old or older

 

65+ Years Old

Your annual exam will include:

  • Pelvic and breast exam
  • Thin-prep Pap smear
  • Blood pressure check
  • Height/weight measurement
  • Urine screening
  • Lab work may be requested, such as complete blood count (CBC), thyroid screen (TSH), and cholesterol screening
  • Screening for blood in stool

Additional recommendations for women age 65 and up:

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • Annual mammogram
  • HIV screening, if multiple sexual partners in recent years
  • 1,500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily
  • Antioxidant vitamins and low-dose (81 mg) enteric-coated aspirin for cardiovascular health
  • Fish oil supplements, with omega-3 fatty acids (DHA): one capsule daily
  • Bone density screening every 2-3 years
  • Colonoscopy
  • Fasting blood sugar levels
  • Monthly skin mole self-exam (and by a dermatologist every 3 years)
  • Vision and hearing checks every 1-2 years with an ophthalmologist and audiologist
  • Annual dental exam
  • Immunizations:
    • Tetanus booster every 10 years
    • Seasonal Influenza vaccine
    • Herpes Zoster
    • Pneumovax at age 65, or sooner if at risk

Schedule Your Well Woman Exam, Visit Our Gynecologists in Cook County, IL

Make sure you’re getting the women’s healthcare you need by calling Women’s HealthFirst at (847) 808-8884 to schedule your well woman exam. Too busy to call? Simply request an appointment now, and one of our helpful schedulers will get back to you.

Women’s HealthFirst has been serving patients in northwest suburban Chicago for more than 35 years. With five convenient locations, to serve you. there’s bound to be an office near you.

Established patients are encouraged to visit our patient portal to request appointments, message your provider team, and more.