Well Woman Exam

A well woman exam is performed to check the health of the female organs: the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and breasts. This is a very important check-up to undergo once a year.

Compassion, Confidentiality, and Comfort

At Modern Women’s Health, we provide a compassionate, confidential, and comfortable atmosphere for you to experience your well woman exam. We understand it can make some women nervous, but we are here to help you relax, answer your questions, and take care of you.

What is a Well Woman Exam? What to Expect Questions Why Choose Modern Women’s Health? FAQ

Modern Women's Health Gynecology & Aesthetics

What is a Well Woman Exam?

The well woman exam is done to rule out conditions and diseases of the female reproductive system, such as breast cancer or cervical cancer. It consists of a physical exam, a breast exam, a pelvic exam, and often a Pap smear. The entire appointment is typically about 30 minutes, with the actual physical exam portion taking approximately ten minutes.

What to Expect

Beginning of Appointment

When you arrive at our office for your well woman exam, the first step is to fill out paperwork. After this, we will take your weight, blood pressure, and a urine sample. We will also ask general questions about your overall health, menstrual cycle, your family’s medical history, whether you’re sexually active, and if you’ve ever been pregnant. Next, you will be given a gown to change into. The medical assistant will leave the room to give you privacy, and you will take everything off and put on the gown. You will sit on the medical table until the medical provider comes into the room.

The Physical Exam

You’ve probably gone through something similar to this part before. We will listen to your heart and lungs, and we will feel your throat to check for thyroid problems. We will look at your head, neck, and abdomen, and listen to your heart and lungs.

The Breast Exam

The breast exam can find early signs of breast cancer. The provider will have you lie down on the medical chair while she feels for lumps or irregularities in both of your breasts. She can also teach you how to check yourself, which is very important.

The Pelvic Exam

The pelvic exam can find early stages of cancer and other problematic conditions. While you’re still on the medical chair, the doctor will pull out stirrups (feet rests) from under the chair. You will place your feet on the stirrups, and the doctor will have you slide down so that you’re in a good position for the exam. The outside of your vagina will be examined for issues such as redness, irritation, discharge, etc. After this, the doctor will insert the fingers on one hand into your vagina while the other hand presses gently onto your stomach. This is to check the size and position of your ovaries, uterus, and cervix. This doesn’t hurt, but there is some pressure. It only takes a couple of minutes.

The Pap Smear

The Pap smear often makes women anxious, but it’s nothing to be concerned with. It’s painless and quick. The doctor will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to get a better view of your cervix. (A small amount of lubricant may be used to help the speculum enter.) The speculum will be inserted inside the vaginal opening, then slightly opened. It may feel strange and slightly uncomfortable, but should not be painful. With the speculum in place, the doctor will use a small brush to collect cells off of the cervix. This is the “smear”. These cells will be placed into a container and sent to a lab to screen for abnormalities.

Well Woman Exam at Modern Women's Health

Questions

Once the exam is complete, be sure to ask the doctor any questions you may have if you haven’t already.

You can feel free to ask anything about your body at all, including STDs, birth control, any conditions you may be experiencing, etc. We welcome questions so that we can help.

Did You Know?

A Pap smear does not equate to well woman exam. There is much misinformation regarding well woman exams. In general, every patient should have a yearly well woman exam (including a pelvic exam), but the Pap smear may only be done every three years depending on the patient’s own medical history and risk for an abnormal Pap smear. Typically, Pap smears are started at age 21.

Why Choose Modern Women’s Health?

Focusing on overall wellness for women, Modern Women’s Health provides comprehensive health services for women and their families, all in one place. Patients of any age can get the attention they deserve for their gynecological needs, aesthetic treatments, and general wellness concerns.

Founder Dr. Lisa Jukes is a board-certified gynecologist who has established a practice where there are female providers for female needs in a compassionate, confidential, and comfortable atmosphere. At Modern Women’s Health, we take a 360-degree approach to patient care, covering all aspects of our patients’ needs. This is why we are one of the top gynecology and women’s practices in Texas.

FAQ

Do you see adolescents for the well woman exam?

When should women begin getting the well woman exam?

Does the well woman exam check for STDs?

Do you see adolescents for the well woman exam?

Yes. We see women of all ages for the well woman exam. We also tailor the extent of the exam based on any menstrual concerns, complaints of pain, and sexual activity. Not every adolescent needs a full pelvic exam. This is also a good time to review any concerns about puberty, menses, etc., and correct any misinformation.

When should women begin getting the well woman exam?

According to ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology), breast and pelvic exams as a part of the yearly well woman exam should be included starting at age 19. However, our recommendations are to initiate a tailored well woman exam at ages 15-18, as many young women have concerns at this time about what is normal vs. abnormal, may be shy to disclose concerns to the adults in their family, and may be at risk for exposure to STIs.

Does the well woman exam check for STDs?

It’s important to know that most well woman exams do not automatically include testing for sexually transmitted diseases, unless you are showing symptoms. If you would like to be tested for STDs, please bring this up with us. Per the USPTF (United States Preventive Task Force), routine screening for gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis is recommended for all women engaged in high-risk sexual activity (using condoms inconsistently, having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, having a new partner, or having multiple current partners). The USPTF further recommends gonorrhea and chlamydia screening for all sexually active women younger than age 25 years (including adolescents), even if they are NOT engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Younger women have a higher risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection than older women. The USPSTF does not recommend STI screening for women age 25 or older who do not engage in high-risk sexual behavior. The USPSTF does not recommend screening asymptomatic women for hepatitis B and herpes simplex virus. Other STIs that can be screened for can include hepatitis C, trichomonas, ureaplasma, and mycoplasma.

Well Woman Exam

Compassion, Confidentiality, and Comfort

What is a Well Woman Exam?

What to Expect

Beginning of Appointment

The Physical Exam

The Breast Exam

The Pelvic Exam

The Pap Smear

Well Woman Exam at Modern Women's Health

Questions

Did You Know?

Why Choose Modern Women’s Health?

FAQ

Do you see adolescents for the well woman exam?

When should women begin getting the well woman exam?

Does the well woman exam check for STDs?

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