How Often Should I Get a Well-Woman Exam?

The health care needs of men and women are different. To ensure women receive the care they need, we look at how often they should schedule well-woman exams.

If you’re a woman, maintaining your health starts with understanding some of the challenges facing women.

For example, women live longer than men, often leading to issues with isolation and depression. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, and lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death.

These and many other concerns highlight the importance of well-woman exams. At Quality Health Source in Mableton, Georgia, Dr. Temeka Johnson and the dedicated medical staff specialize in women’s health care. Here, they discuss how often you need this exam.

Facts about well-woman exams

Physical exams are a standard fixture in medical prevention, but well-woman exams help manage problems unique to women.

These exams allow our team at Quality Health Source to help our female patients with fertility issues, hormone health, menstruation concerns, sexual health, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and emotional well-being.

During this exam, we review your medical history, take your vital signs (including blood pressure, height, and weight), and perform breast and pelvic exams as necessary. We also may request urine and blood tests to screen for various medical conditions.

Tests and screenings to expect

We screen for many diseases and other conditions during well-woman exams, and what we look for varies by age:

21-24: STD testing and Pap smears are options if you want them
25-39: clinical breast exams, STD testing
40-50: breast exams, mammograms, menopause guidance
25-65: human papillomavirus (HPV) testing (every five years)
65 and older: mammograms (until around 74), osteoporosis testing

Breast exams and mammograms help us to detect breast cancer. Pelvic screenings like Pap smears allow us to diagnose cervical cancers and other reproductive issues. When you go through menopause, the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis increases.

Every patient is unique, of course, meaning factors such as family or personal history may require screening for specific conditions tailored to your needs.

How often should you get a well-woman exam?

The frequency of your well-woman exams depends on your overall health and whether you have conditions that warrant more frequent visits.

Generally, however, annual visits align with the recommended guidelines. Your health changes over time, so how often you come in may change accordingly. However, we encourage you to visit us at least once a year if you’re in good health.

Staying healthy means being proactive. To stay on top of your health, schedule your well-woman exam by phone or online today with Dr. Johnson and Quality Health Source.