An annual women's exam offers a simple way to protect your health and discuss issues or symptoms that may concern you. Your Brandon FL primary care physicians, Drs. Joel and Elizabeth Biggers, provide the exams at Biggers Family Medicine.
The Benefits of Women's Health Exam
Changes in your health aren't always obvious but can cause serious illness if they're aren't detected and treated promptly. When you visit your primary care physician every year for a well-care exam, your doctor will check for signs and symptoms that can occur if you have breast, uterine or ovarian cancer; gynecological conditions; infections; and sexually transmitted diseases.
Annual exams are recommended for women who are 21 and over. Although you may visit the doctor other times during the year if you're ill or injured, these visits focus solely on your injuries or symptoms. Well-woman visits are designed to evaluate the unique health problems that can affect women throughout their lives.
During your visit to the Brandon FL primary care office, you'll discuss your medical history, risk factors for diseases, previous pregnancies, contraception choices, and lifestyle factors that may affect your health.
Your doctor can help you handle the changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause, order blood tests and mammograms, and discuss the management of endometriosis and other chronic gynecological conditions.
What Happens During Your Exam?
Your visit may include:
- Examinations: Breast examinations can detect lumps that might occur if you have breast cancer. (Lumps are often non-cancerous but must be evaluated to determine if treatment is needed). During your pelvic examination, your doctor will look for abnormalities, such as abnormal discharge, rashes, warts, fibroids, sores, lumps, or cysts.
- Pap Test: Pap tests detect abnormal cells in your cervix that may or may not be cancerous. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women 21 to 29 need a Pap test every three years, and women 30 to 65 should have a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years or a Pap test every three years. You probably won't need a pap test if you're over 65.
- Screenings: Your weight and blood pressure will also be measured during your examination. Even slightly high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart and kidney disease. If you do have high blood pressure, your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes or medication.
Have you scheduled your annual woman's exam? Call your primary care physicians in Brandon FL, Drs. Joel and Elizabeth Biggers, at (813) 655-4646 to schedule your appointment.