5 Reasons Why You Need a Well-Woman Visit

This is not an exhaustive list - we're not touching on menopause today. There are more than 5 reasons why you need an annual well-woman visit. But first, what is this preventive care for women?

What is a Well-Woman Visit?

A well-woman exam is a preventative screening for reproductive health issues. The most important part may just be a talk! According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), "A comprehensive history is one of the most important aspects of a well-woman visit." (1.) Your provider will ask you questions about your health risks and family history.

Your physical exam will typically include a breast exam and a pelvic exam. You may get a pap smear depending on your age and risk factors, health history, and timing of your last exam.

#1 Gynecology Visits Protect Your Fertility

Even if you don't want kids, your fertility is intertwined with your health. (More on that in the next reason.) Well-woman care can help detect early signs of PCOS and other gynecologic abnormalities that can affect your overall health. Polycystic ovary syndrome, or “PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 6% to 12% (as many as 5 million) of US women of reproductive age,” according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2). PCOS can cause missed or irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain. PCOS is also associated with other diseases like diabetes, heart disease, depression and anxiety, and more (2).

#2 Menstrual Health is Important Even if You Don’t Want Kids

Did you know your cycle is another indicator of your overall health? If your cycles are irregular or missing, and you are of reproductive age, your body is telling you something is wrong.

For example, many female athletes lose their period since they are over-exercising and/or under-fueling (3.) Missing periods mean low estrogen which leads to weak bones (3.)

Even if you're not an athlete, a missing or irregular period is a sign of stress on the body. Your well woman visit provides an excellent opportunity to ask if your period is normal.

#3 You Can't Afford Not To

When you compare the cost of preventive services with treating problems later, it's worth it. Getting treated for STIs might not seem like prevention, but untreated STIs can develop into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID treatment uses antibiotics to fight the infection, but Mayo Clinic notes “there's no way to reverse any scarring or damage to the reproductive tract that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) might have caused.” (4.)

Would you rather treat a painless STI or a painful PID? (That's why they say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.") Often this phrase is used to promote a healthy lifestyle, which is great, but what if regular physical exams were affordable?

At NAME OF CENTER, preventive care is affordable/FREE!

#4 Health Goals: Be Informed 

Are you sexually active? Do you know if you have STIs? How can you make informed choices about your sexual health if you don't know? The CDC recommends STI screening (5.) 

As mentioned, untreated STIs can develop into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. And they can cause other problems. STIs can increase your risk for ectopic pregnancy and cervical cancer. So STI testing and treatment can prevent other problems.

Speaking of cancer, taking care of your health includes cancer screening, not only for cervical cancer with pap tests but also clinical breast exams. Detecting early signs of breast cancer and getting early treatment is another reason to schedule your well-woman visit.

#5 Self-care: Be Kind to Yourself

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for women of all ages. And yet, so many women put themselves on the back burner. Comprehensive well-woman care shouldn't be something you tell yourself you'll get around to eventually.

Prioritize your sexual and reproductive health.
It's a good idea to schedule your preventative care visits so they happen. You’re worth it.

Next steps for helping you stay healthy:

• Jot down your health concerns
• Be prepared to talk about your medical history
• Know the date of your last period

Schedule a Well-Woman Visit

Remember, one visit is an opportunity to protect your fertility, check your overall health, save money, be informed, and be kind to yourself.

Clinic FAQs

FAQ: What's the right age for an annual well-woman exam?
Preventative care visits can start during your teens (6.) Some providers suggest annual visits starting at age 21 (7.) Ask your doctor or health provider what is right for you based on your personal health needs.
Or, live chat with a nurse.

How often should you get a well woman visit? Do you have to visit every year?
A well-woman visit is an important way to keep tabs on your health. Since health is individual, a doctor or nurse may recommend preventive services more or less frequently based on your personal factors like family health history.

For more FAQs
Read Finding Free or Low Cost Health Care Services with No Insurance.

Sources

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018, September 24). Well-woman visit. ACOG. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/10/well-woman-visit ACOG Committee Opinion Number 755 (Replaces Committee Opinion No. 534, August 2012. Reaffirmed 2020)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 30). PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
3. Nadolsky, S. (2021, October 29). Fitness & Menstrual Health: How To Stay Lean, healthy, and fit without losing your period. Precision Nutrition. https://www.precisionnutrition.com/fitness-menstrual-health
4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352600
5. CDC. (2022, June 6).  Screening Recommendations and Considerations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Resources. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
6. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, October 5). What happens at a well-woman exam? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/well-woman-exam
7. HCA Healthcare. (2022, March 7). How often should I schedule a well woman exam?  Women’s Health Alliance. https://womenshealthalliance.com/how-often-should-i-get-a-well-woman-exam/