Importance of an Annual Wellness Exam

What is an annual well woman exam and why is it important? 

Getting an annual exam is vital to staying healthy. They are opportunities for women to be screened for breast and gynecological cancers and sexually transmitted infections. Annual exams are also a great time to discuss contraception methods or to receive preconception counseling if you are trying to get pregnant.

I heard that I don’t have to get a pap smear every year. Do I still have to come in for an annual exam?

Yes, we recommend getting an annual exam so that your provider can perform a thorough breast and pelvic exam. We also recommend a yearly exam if you are on birth control, have a family history of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, have a new sexual partner, if you have had an abnormal pap smear or unsure of when your last pap smear was.