Annual Exam at An OBGYN Office

An “annual” appointment at Northwest OBGYN is very similar to a “well visit” one may make with their primary care provider. At this appointment, the examinations/conversations that take place rely on one big factor: the age range the patient falls in. Of course this is completely independent of any personal concerns the patient may have, but if a person comes in with no other inquiries, the services provided are based on age. The main criteria for an annual exam falls into 5 categories - screening, physical examination, lifestyle management, assessments of the patient’s menstrual cycle, and contraceptives. 

Screening

Young teens (ages 11-18) 

• HPV vaccine

• STI screening

• General health check

Young Adult (ages 19-21)

• STI screening 

• Pap-smear (for cervical cancer screening)

• Pre-conception screening for those who wish to start a family (genetic testing, blood testing, etc.)

Middle Age (ages 40-64)

• Breast cancer screening (mammogram, typically starts at age 40 given the patient is not at high risk)

• Pap-smear

• STI screening

• Screening prior to HRT (hormone replacement therapy for women facing symptoms of menopause)

Older Adults (ages 65+)

• Pap-smear (most insurance companies will discontinue the coverage of pap-smears for women over the age of 65 given that the patient does not possess risk factors for cervical cancer)

• STI screening

• Breast cancer screening

• Hepatitis C screening

*Please note that each provider may not follow these age range descriptions exactly, they assess many factors that contribute to the patients health and perform the screening they deem necessary.

Physical Examination

Young teens (ages 11-18) 

There is not much to a physical examination with younger teens. A provider may do a vaginal/cervical exam, depending on the comfortability of the patient and what they request/need. Some breast exams may be done on younger teens if they have risk factors.

Young Adult (ages 19-21)+

Once a woman hits age 19, breast exams become routine with an annual appointment. While they are not required to get a mammogram, the provider will feel around the breast for any abnormalities and choose to follow up with a mammogram if they feel the need to.

At age 21, women will begin to get pap-smears. They do not have to do this annually, given that the results are “normal”, they will have to repeat the screening every 3 years. If the pap-smear comes back as abnormal, they may have to repeat it again within the same year.

Once a woman hits age 40, the frequency in pap-smears can extend up to once every 5 years if the provider believes it is safe to do so.

Lifestyle Management, Menstrual Cycle Assessments, and Contraceptives

These three categories can be divided into an array of different categories depending on the patient's wants, needs, and risk factors. If a patient is wanting to start a family, there will be more of a focus on stopping the use of contraceptives, and tracking their menstrual cycle. If a patient is sexually active and does not wish to start a family, there will be more of a focus on contraceptive options and what works best for them. If a patient is struggling with their hormones/menopausal, then HRT or birth control may be discussed more in depth. Lifestyle management will be discussed depending on any medical conditions the patient may have and what works best for them.