Question 1

What's included in a yearly wellness exam?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your age. For adolescents (roughly 13-18), the first few visits are often just a conversation — discussing your health history, answering questions, and building a relationship with your provider, along with basic checks like blood pressure and weight. Starting around age 19, we add annual breast and abdominal exams. Routine pelvic exams and pap smears typically begin at age 21 (or earlier if you're sexually active or have a gynecologic concern). At every age, your visit also includes screening for blood pressure, weight, and other health risk factors, plus contraceptive counseling and STI testing as appropriate.

Question 2

How often should I schedule a wellness exam?

Accepted Answer

We recommend an annual wellness exam, even if you're not experiencing any symptoms. Yearly visits are one of the best ways to catch potential health issues early and stay on top of your overall wellbeing.

Question 3

At what age should I start having wellness exams?

Accepted Answer

Most women should start having annual well-woman exams at the onset of sexual activity or by age 21, whichever comes first. If you have gynecologic concerns before then, we recommend coming in sooner.

Question 4

Can I talk about my period, weight, or hormone changes during this visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — these visits are a great time to bring up menstrual health, hormone changes, weight, nutrition, or anything else on your mind. That said, if a concern turns out to need more in-depth attention, your visit may need to be converted into a separate problem visit, since insurance coverage and appointment time often don't allow for addressing everything in one wellness visit.

Question 5

Do I still need a well-woman exam if I've had a hysterectomy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A well-woman exam is about far more than a pap smear — it's a comprehensive check on your overall health. Even without a cervix, your visit still includes a breast exam, blood pressure and weight checks, and broader screening for things like cholesterol and thyroid function, along with an open conversation about hormone changes, sexual health, and any new symptoms or concerns. If your cervix was removed as part of the hysterectomy and it wasn't performed for cancer or precancerous changes, you typically won't need pap testing — but the rest of the exam still matters and is still recommended annually.

WELLNESS EXAMS FOR FEMALES OVER THE AGE OF 15

by experienced providers

Frequently asked questions

What's included in a yearly wellness exam?

How often should I schedule a wellness exam?

At what age should I start having wellness exams?

Can I talk about my period, weight, or hormone changes during this visit?

Do I still need a well-woman exam if I've had a hysterectomy?