I've Never Had an Annual Exam: What Can I Expect?

As a woman, your health needs can change dramatically between puberty and menopause (and beyond). Scheduling an annual wellness exam is one of the best and simplest steps you can take to stay healthy, even as those needs change.

At OB/GYN Associates of Conroe, Richard Roberts, MD, offers comprehensive annual well visits for women of all ages. If you’ve never had an annual exam before, here’s what you can expect during your visit.

First, the basics

Annual exams begin with the basics, including your vital signs, like your weight, height, and blood pressure. Recording this data at your first exam allows us to track changes over time, which could indicate the early stages of a potential problem that could benefit from early intervention.

We also discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have. We perform a general “hands-on” assessment, listening to your heart and lungs, gently palpating your belly, and performing other assessments based on your age and other personal factors.

Next, we ask about your personal and family health history to help identify any potential risk factors. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible, and include any medications or supplements you’re taking. All these “little bits” of information combine to form a more complete picture of your health and wellness, allowing us to provide truly personalized care.

Pelvic and breast exams

After the general exam, we perform a pelvic exam, typically accompanied by either a Pap test or an HPV test to check for abnormal cells that could be associated with an early stage of cancer. Both tests are quick and painless, but they provide considerable peace of mind.

We also perform a clinical breast exam, gently palpating your breasts and local lymph nodes for any lumps, bumps, or other unusual changes in your breasts. For most people, we also recommend an annual mammogram to provide more detailed information about your breast health to serve as a baseline for future examinations.

STD testing

Many women benefit from regular STD testing. In fact, the CDC has specific recommendations for testing depending on each person’s individual risk factors. For instance, women who have a new sex partner or multiple partners should have testing, and so should pregnant women.

Most STD testing uses urine or blood samples (HPV testing uses cervical cell samples). Dr. Roberts can help you decide if you should be tested, along with providing guidance to help you avoid infections in the future.

Family planning

Whether you plan on having children or not, your annual exam is an ideal time to discuss these plans. 

For women who plan to have children in the near future, Dr. Roberts can provide advice about preparing for the demands of pregnancy, labor, and delivery to help both moms and babies stay safe. 

If you aren’t planning on getting pregnant, your annual visit is an ideal time to discuss birth control options that suit your lifestyle and your preferences. 

Menopause care

For women in menopause or perimenopause (the years immediately preceding menopause), your annual visit is a good time to discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing, like hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, incontinence, weight fluctuations, or problems sleeping. 

Menopause also increases your risk for certain medical problems. During your visit, Dr. Roberts will review some simple steps you can take to manage your symptoms and maintain optimal health and wellness as you age.

Healthcare guidance tailored to your needs

Finally, one of the biggest reasons to have annual exams is to stay in touch and up to date with your healthcare needs as they change. Dr. Roberts and his team are dedicated to providing truly customized care and guidance for every patient at every stage of her life.

If you’re due for your annual visit, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at OB/GYN Associates of Conroe in Conroe, Texas, today.