Women’s Wellness Exams

When you turn 21, your well-woman exams begin to include regular pelvic exams, pap tests, and breast exams. And as you get older and your body continues to change, you’ll begin to have mammograms as part of your visit, usually around the time you’re 40.

You should look at your well-woman exam as not only a time to check in on your physical health, but also an opportunity to discuss your emotional health as well. Dr. Mope is incredibly caring and empathetic to any needs you might have or concerns that you might want to share.

First, schedule your well-woman exam for a day when you’re not due to have your period, unless you have a bleeding problem that Dr. Mope has said that she wants to observe.

Second, be prepared to answer questions about your medical and sexual health and history. Some questions that Dr. Mope might ask are:

•  When was your last period?
•  How often do you have periods and how long do they last?
•  Do you ever bleed or spot in between periods?
•  Have you experienced any pain, itching, or discharge from your vagina or vulva?
•  Are you sexually active? With men, women, or both?
•  Is sex ever painful for you?
•  Do you ever bleed during or after sex?
•  Are you using birth control?
•  What are you doing to prevent STDs?

Third, be prepared to ask Dr. Mope any questions that you might have. Some of the more common topics that patients ask about during a well-woman exam include:

• Birth control
•  Pain or bleeding after sex
• Pelvic pain
•  Irregular periods
•  Pregnancy tests
•  Vaginal discharge or smell
•  STD tests