What is a well-woman exam?
A well-woman exam is designed to monitor your reproductive health and any issues that involve your:
- Uterus
- Ovaries and fallopian tubes
- Vaginal health
- Cervix
- Breasts
While that’s the physical basis of a well-woman exam, it serves as much more and includes:
- Birth control options
- Cancer screening
- Vaccinations
- Depression screening
- Sexually-transmitted infections screening
- Concerns about sex
- Menopause
- Weight control
- Menstrual issues
- Pregnancy counseling
With Dr. Odogwu, a well-woman exam encompasses not only your reproductive health, but your sexual, mental, and overall physical health.
What happens during a well-woman exam?
When you come in for a well-woman exam, Dr. Odogwu first records your vital statistics, including your:
- Weight and height
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Body temperature
From there, he discusses any concerns you may have or any problems since your last visit.
During the physical examination, Dr. Odogwu conducts a pelvic exam to check your reproductive organs and often swabs your cervix for a Pap test. He also manually checks your breasts and abdomen for any abnormalities.
Once the physical exam is over, and if you haven’t done so already, Dr. Odogwu may collect a sample of your blood and urine for lab work.
How is a well-woman exam preventive?
Your well-woman exam provides a unique opportunity for Dr. Odogwu to screen you for a few potentially-dangerous conditions that are unique to women.
The first on this list is cervix cancer, which he can detect very early, even in its precancerous stages, through a simple Pap test.
Dr. Odogwu can also detect lumps in your breasts or abnormalities in your reproductive organs that bear closer investigation.
If you’re concerned about sexually-transmitted infections, this exam provides a great opportunity to get checked out. Dr. Odogwu can screen you for most diseases, from HIV to syphilis, with a simple blood test.
When should I start having well-woman exams and how often?
Adolescent women should start seeing Dr. Odogwu for well woman exams as soon as they have their first period, usually between the ages of 13 and 15. After your first visit, you should plan on seeing him once a year thereafter for a well-woman exam.
To get started on your preventive care, call Holy Cross OBGYN or use the online form to schedule a well-woman exam.
