Well Woman Exam Specialist

Why do I need a well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam is an annual evaluation of your overall health, from head to toe. The purpose is to check for early indicators of chronic disease and to intervene as quickly as possible, so any concerns don’t become too serious. It’s important to get regular well-woman exams to:

• Evaluate your reproductive health
• Ensure you’re not gaining or losing weight
• Talk about birth control and family planning
• Get screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Get vaccination updates, including human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Check for early indicators of chronic disease, like heart disease

Allcare for Women entirely personalizes your well-woman exams as preventive care visits, based on your personal and family health history, as well as any concerns you may have.

What happens during a well-woman exam?

Your well-woman exam at Allcare for Women begins with a one-on-one conversation with Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud. If you’re new to the practice, she’s going to need to get a little background information about your health history. Depending on your needs, Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud may perform any of the following evaluations or tests.

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Vaginal infections that aren’t STDs
• Blood pressure and heart rate check
• Breast cancer screening
• Osteoporosis screening
• Blood test or urinalysis
• Breast exam
• Pelvic exam  

If you need any birth control or hormone replacement therapy (for menopause), Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud can help you with those solutions, too.

Some well-woman exams include Pap smear testing. A Pap test involves getting a sample of cells from your cervix to check for cellular changes that can increase your risk of cervical cancer. Depending on your health history, Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud may recommend a Pap smear every three to five years from the ages of 21-65.

How do I prepare for a well-woman exam?

Before your well-woman exam at Allcare for Women, it’s helpful to transfer over medical records from your previous OB/GYN or primary care physician. You should also:

• Know the first date of your last menstrual cycle
• Make a list of all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter
• Avoid scheduling your exam while you’re on your period for Pap testing (if possible)

Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud and the team at Allcare for Women also encourage you to write down any questions or concerns you may have, so you don’t forget to talk about them during your well-woman exam.

If you’re due for a well-woman exam, you can get the personalized care you need at Allcare for Women. Book your well-woman appointment either online or over the phone today.