Our Services / Well-Woman Exams

What are well-woman exams?

Well-woman exams are preventive screenings that can identify reproductive health issues in the earliest stages. You should have this type of annual exam even if you’re not having any symptoms or concerns about your reproductive or sexual health.

Your MIG gynecology provider completes a comprehensive well-woman exam to screen for issues like:

• Breast cancer

• Uterine fibroids and cysts

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

• Precancerous or cancerous cervical cells

Your provider can also assess important details about your overall physical health, including your weight, blood pressure, and risk factors for cervical cancer and other diseases.

Your MIG provider can determine what preventive screenings you need during your well-woman visit after reviewing your personal and family medical history.

What preventive screenings are available during a well-woman exam?

During the well-woman exam, your MIG provider performs a pelvic exam. That involves an examination of your vagina, uterus, and other reproductive organs. They check for abnormalities like pelvic pain, genital warts, and other issues that affect your reproductive and sexual health.

As part of your pelvic exam, you may also need a Pap smear to check for precancerous changes in your cervical cells. Additional testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) and other STDs is also available.

To identify breast changes that may indicate cancer, your provider offers manual breast exams. They can also teach you how to perform self-exams on your breasts at home. For women over 40 and those with a history of cancer, they provide mammogram referrals.

Your MIG gynecology provider can also discuss your diet, your lifestyle, and other factors that affect your physical, sexual, and reproductive health. They can provide you with resources for following a healthy diet, incorporating more exercise into your daily life, and protecting yourself against STDs, chronic health conditions, and unintended pregnancy.

How often do I need a well-woman exam?

You should schedule a well-woman exam once a year. Keeping up with your annual appointments gives your MIG provider an opportunity to track changes in your health from one year to the next.

If you have an existing health issue like endometriosis, you may need more frequent appointments to evaluate any treatments you’re using or new symptoms you’re having.

To schedule a well-woman exam, contact a Midsouth Independent Group provider today.