Annual Wellness Exams
What does women’s wellness mean to you? Wellness is a state of being in good health both in your physical body as well as in your mind. For many women, their gynecologist is their primary care physician. We at Carolina Women’s Health enjoy being your Raleigh OBGYN of choice. As such we want to help you navigate your health throughout your lifetime — from your annual wellness visit during your teen years on right through menopause. Let us tell you how we support your wellness goals through every stage of your life.
Annual Wellness Visit: Your Teen Years
Your teen years are full of questions about how and why your body is rapidly changing. As a leader in women’s health care in Raleigh, NC, we are committed to helping teenage girls grow into confident young women. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends that girls make their first visit to a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15. On your first visit, you may not have to go through an exam. Oftentimes your first visit to your gynecologist is a conversation about your health needs. If you have health concerns that warrant an examination, then an exam will be done. Your exam will include a breast exam, pelvic exam, and a Pap smear. If you, for some reason, have an abnormal Pap smear, you will be advised on how to proceed. Your appointment with your gynecologist is also an opportunity to discuss birth control methods, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, or your menstrual cycle.
Annual Wellness Exam: Your 20’s and 30’s
It is important for women in their 20’s and 30’s to have an annual wellness exam. Whether you are actively planning your family, or are choosing to preserve your fertility for the right moment in life, an annual wellness exam will help to maintain a healthy body. Your wellness exam will include a Pap smear, pelvic exam, a discussion about family planning and contraception methods, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and breast exams. A large part of creating a healthy future for yourself and your family depends upon your ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Thus we are available to discuss the consequences of smoking, healthy eating habits, regular body movement, and other health screenings.
Annual Wellness Exam: Your 40’s and 50’s
It is recommended that women in their 40’s and 50’s continue to participate in annual wellness exams. A Pap smear, breast, and pelvic exams will continue to be routine. This stage in your life may also require discussions and examinations for bone density loss and osteoporosis. Other discussions may include your experience with peri-menopause, mammograms, and other changes in your body.
Annual Wellness Exam: Your 60’s and up
Common problems for women in their 60’s and up is vaginal dryness, urinary frequency, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence. You may become interested in hormone replacement therapy as a result. Decreasing bone density may continue to be a problem. You may require calcium supplements and other forms of therapy that may help to preserve your bone structure as you age. Healthy eating and body movement will continue to be an important factor in maintaining your health.
At Carolina Women’s Health, we are your specialists in women’s health care in Raleigh, NC. We consider it an honor and a privilege to offer you excellent care throughout life’s many ups and downs. We want to be a source for wellness information that can be shared with all the women you love. Whether it is an abnormal Pap smear, a question about family planning, or prevention of breast cancer we want to help lead you into your vision of wellness. Do you have a question about your health and wellness? Give us a call! One of our women’s health associates will be able to offer the answers you are looking for.