Waco Womens Health
The annual well woman examination is an important part of every woman’s medical care. It is designed to include an assessment of overall health including physical and mental wellbeing, to identify risk factors for disease, to provide age appropriate screening tests and vaccinations, and to counsel women on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are constantly improvements in technologies and recommendations of multiple societies that affect the guidelines for the individual components of this visit. Typically this type of examination should begin at a Women’s Health Center in early adolescence when most of the visit is spent in counseling and reassuring the young patient of changes she will be going through during adolescent years. It is not necessary for an invasive pelvic examination until age 21 at which time cervical cancer screening via pap smear should be initiated. Other important considerations for well woman visits at your Center for Women’s Health should include breast examination and counseling on breast awareness; menstrual cycles and any problems including heavy, irregular, or painful periods; contraception and family planning; assessment of sexual health and risk for sexually transmitted infections; depression screening; skin health; bladder or bowel dysfunction and screening; and menopausal considerations. A well woman examination is the foundation for women’s health and disease prevention. These visits are designed to promote overall wellbeing and are tailored to each individual based upon their personal, family and social histories.