Annual Exams & Pap Smears

Plano Women’s Healthcare — Annual Exams & Pap Smears

A preventive well-woman examination is an important component of maintaining your overall health. These exams include a screening questionnaire, a review of your health history and any new changes, physical assessment including a breast and pelvic check, and diagnostic tests such as blood work or Pap smear. We can also discuss future fertility plans and birth control options. At your annual examination, we are evaluating for signs, symptoms, and physical exam findings for:

Breast, uterine, ovarian, vulvar, and cervical cancer(s)

Menstrual irregularities

Sexually transmitted diseases

Urinary tract or vaginal infections

Fibroids

Endometriosis

Ovarian cysts

Pelvic pain or painful intercourse

Menopausal symptoms including hormone imbalance, pelvic organ prolapse, or urinary symptoms

Osteoporosis

Our comprehensive annual exams also include counseling for smoking, alcohol use, and weight loss and discussion of age-recommended vaccinations.

What Should I Expect at my Annual Exam?

Your annual exam will include a clinical breast exam to check for thickened tissue, discharge, lumps, or any other abnormalities, a pelvic exam, and a Pap smear where appropriate. Your doctor will also conduct a bimanual examination to check your ovaries and uterus. If necessary, your doctor may order urine and blood tests or other tests to look for other conditions.

Finally, there will be time for you to ask questions you may have about birth control, STDs, your menstrual cycle, menopause, or other concerns such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and others.

I Thought I Only Needed a Pap Smear Every 3 Years. Do I Still Need to Come in for an Annual Exam?

While Pap smear recommendations have changed (and continue to be updated), it is still strongly encouraged to have a yearly examination. You may be missing out on essential health screenings and critical opportunities to identify and treat early signs of disease.

Furthermore, some patients may not be appropriate candidates for less frequent Pap smear screenings. Patients with a history of abnormal Pap smears, who are taking immune-lowering medications, or have a history of STDs or HPV or a new sexual partner may benefit from yearly pap smears.

It is also important to note that Pap smears are now recommended for patients over 65 years old.

I’ve had a Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need to See my OB/GYN for an Annual Exam? Do I Still Need a Pap Smear After I’ve had a Hysterectomy?

Even after a hysterectomy, an annual exam still provides many health benefits and opportunities for disease detection. An annual well-woman exam includes screening for STDs, prolapse, and breast, vulvovaginal, and ovarian cancers. After hysterectomy, many women often still have their ovaries or sometimes even their cervix. This visit also allows you to speak with your OB/GYN about any bladder, libido, hormones, or weight loss issues you may be experiencing.

After hysterectomy, if the cervix was removed and you have no history of abnormal Pap smears, then a Pap smear may be no longer needed or recommended. However, if the cervix was not removed or if you have an abnormal Pap smear history, your OB/GYN will likely still recommend Pap smears.

At Plano Women’s Healthcare, we want our patients to have the best health possible post-hysterectomy, so we look forward to answering questions and concerns at your annual exam.

Do you Offer STD Checks and Bloodwork for Annual Exams?

STD screening including blood work and vaginal swabs is available on request and may be recommended by your provider based on individual risk factors. Routine annual screening blood work is available on request as well. Both STD screening and blood work are often covered by insurance. We still recommend checking with your insurance provider before your appointment for covered benefits as plans do differ.

Can Fertility Concerns or Other Problems be Addressed at my Annual Exam Appointment?

Sometimes it may not be clear whether to schedule a consult visit versus an annual examination visit. If you are experiencing a significant medical complaint that you would like to be the primary focus of the visit such as infertility, pelvic pain, or menstrual irregularities, we recommend scheduling a consult visit first so we can adequately address this issue. If you have any questions about what type of visit to schedule, our attentive staff and schedulers would be happy to assist you.

NOTE: Consult visits performed on the same day as an annual examination are subject to separate billing charges.

Have More Questions About Your Annual Exam?

Your annual exam is an important way to take care of your health. It provides thorough screening for reproductive and gynecological health issues as well as an opportunity to discuss other topics such as weight loss, smoking cessation, or other concerns.