Annual Exam Everyone hates them but most people need them. Routine care for women changes with age. A young girl does not need a pap and pelvic until 18 years old or until they become sexually active. Younger patients should be screened for HPV, though. The new HPV vaccine is also something you will want to discuss with your doctor. After becoming sexually active, women need a yearly pap and exam. Along with this, they need a breast exam, blood pressure check, and follow-up of any problems. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone over the age of 20 needs cholesterol screening. We recommend a VAP cholesterol as it is more accurate and you do not need to be fasting. You can have your family doctor do this screening, or we are happy to take care of it for you. At age 35, every woman needs a screening mammogram. This will vary a little as it pertains to your history, but at the least, you need a screening at 35 and then a mammogram every year after 40. It is important that you do daily breast self exams and that your practitioner do them once a year. There is presently some controversy about whether a woman needs a yearly pap. Presently we recommend that you be seen at least once per year for a primary care visit and pelvic exam. Pap smears are still important on a yearly basis until menopause. This may change in the future, but right now this is the recommendation. If you don’t have a cervix, having a pap every 2-3 years is fine, but remember that is not the only thing we are checking! At age 40 the American Cancer Society recommends yearly hemoccult testing for blood in your stool. In addition, at age 50, it is recommended that a woman get a colonoscopy at least every 10 years. Remember, there are variations on exactly what you need, so check with your practitioner. Please keep in mind that we are not just here to check your gyn organs. We at Advanced Gynecology are here to take care of your whole person, not just a part of you. Thanks for letting us participate in your well-being. Links: American Heart Association
American Cancer Society
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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