How many times have you dodged your doctor’s offices’ calls to schedule your next well woman exam? We can all agree that pap smears are no fun, even traumatizing for some, so it makes sense why you’d want to put it off for as long as possible. However, you might want to think twice once you learn about what all a well woman exam actually covers. In addition to breast and pelvic examinations, a well woman exam also includes other screenings, evaluations, and counseling for your preventative care needs based on age and risk factors. If you’re someone who values your health and wellbeing, it’s a good idea to stay on top of these annual check-ups. In this blog, we’ll talk about what to expect, how to prepare, and what not to do before your next well woman exam.

What does a well woman exam entail?

Once a year, your OBGYN or primary care provider should perform a preventative checkup to assess several aspects of your reproductive health. These examinations are essential for detecting any potential health issues or risks that need attention. Here’s what you can expect:

Medical history

You’ll talk with your doctor about your health history, the history of your family’s health, any medications you’re currently taking, and any concerns you may have about your health.

Physical exam

Your doctor will take inventory of basic aspects of your health such as your blood pressure, weight, and heart rate.

Mammogram

Here’s where the unpleasantry begins. First, you’ll be given a hospital gown to change into. Otherwise known as a breast exam, your doctor will check for any lumps or abnormalities in your breasts using a special X-ray machine that detects breast cancer and other breast diseases. During this process, each boob is placed on a flat support plate and compressed with a parallel plate on top. If you have breast implants, you’ll want to let your doctor know ahead of time so they can prepare for a properly-trained X-ray technologist to perform your mammogram.

Pelvic exam

Time to get your feet in those stirrups!

During the pelvic exam, your doctor will take a look at your reproductive organs and screen you for cervical cancer via a Pap smear. Before inserting a speculum to examine your cervix, they will first visually inspect the external part of your vagina. Next, they’ll collect a sample of cells from the cervix to screen for cancer; this is the Pap smear. After that’s done, your provider will use their fingers to assess the size, texture, and position of your uterus and ovaries while pressing on your abdomen. This is called a bimanual exam.

For many women, enduring the pelvic portion of the well woman exam is the hardest part. We encourage you to ask questions or express any concerns you have. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, it’s important you communicate to your doctor so they can pause and call in reinforcement if necessary. Oftentimes, they will lean on the support of a nurse of medical assistant who can chaperone you through this part of the exam.

Lab tests

After the exam, your doctor may want to get additional information using lab tests to check for sexually transmitted diseases or other health conditions suggested by any of the above parts of the exam. These tests may also be determined based on your age, lifestyle, and medical history.

Why are these checkups important?

A well woman exam isn’t just about health screenings, it’s an opportunity that should empower you to take charge of your own health and get some professional guidance on how to create the most optimal personalized wellness plan for your body. To make sure your results are accurate and you get the most positive experience out of these visits, let’s go over some dos and don’ts for how to best prepare for your annual checkup.

How to prepare for a well woman exam

1. Consolidate relevant medical records. First and foremost, write down any relevant and or recent changes to your physical health since your last visit. If you’ve switched doctors, seen specialists, or seen any other provider outside of your primary care physician or OBGYN, bring any documentation and records you have. Your doctor will need these to gain a comprehensive view of what’s going on with your body.
2. Don’t schedule your exam during your period. To put it simply, menstrual blood can get in the way of the tests necessary for the pelvic exam and even affect their accuracy. To avoid having to repeat it, wait until your period is over.
3. Wear clothes that are easy to get in and out of. Save that cute new bodycon dress for after your exam, as you’ll need to change several times during your exam for the breast and pelvic assessments. We love a good sweats and hoodie type of vibe to promote extra comfort.
4. Don’t wear any products on your skin. This includes deodorant, perfume, lotion, and body powder. We know, it sounds weird. But these products can actually affect the accuracy of the mammogram X-rays.
5. Avoid using any vaginal products at least 48 hours before your exam. This includes vaginal creams, douches, and yes- even tampons. In addition to adding to the discomfort of the pelvic exam, these products can also affect the accuracy of test results.
6. Avoid having sex 24-48 hours before your exam. During sex, lots of bacteria is exchanged. As you can imagine, this throws off the pH balance of your vagina and can give the doctor performing your pelvic exam a skewed view of your vaginal health when they go to inspect you.

Now that you know why they’re important, what to expect, and how to prepare for your well woman exam, let’s discuss some things you can do between doctor’s visits to maintain optimal reproductive health.

Best practices for women’s wellness

While your annual checkup is the foundation for better health, you daily habits are the true determinants. To consistently support your women’s health journey, follow these best practice in between doctor’s visits.

• Booked your next appointment. We know how easy it is for things like this to fall lower and lower on your to do list. To make sure you stay on top of it, go ahead and book your next visit as soon as you complete your last one. However, if you forget, don’t worry. Your doctor’s office should call you to remind you when it’s time to come in again.
• Keep your doctor’s contact info handy so you can call or email with any questions or concerns in between visits. If anything relevant comes up before your next exam, don’t wait until then to bring it up.
• Maintain basic self-care. This includes exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet full of nutrient-rich foods, and paying attention to your body’s signs. Managing your mental health and keeping good sleep hygiene is also a critical component of women’s wellness. If you need support regulating your circadian rhythm, keeping stress and anxiety at bay, or improving the quality of your sleep patterns, Ladykind has your back. Our hormone-balancing tinctures and pain-relieving topicals can help you find and achieve internal homeostasis for a more manageable life, and thus better outcomes from your annual exams.
• Keep yourself informed. Join reputable and trustworthy online communities, such as the Ladykind blog and corresponding Facebook group, where you can gain helpful tips and insights on how to elevate your personal health.

Let Ladykind prepare you for your next well woman exam by incorporating the A Better Day Set into your daily routine. This set comes with full sizes of three award-winning women’s wellness products, including: the Rise Up Daily Mind-Clearing Tincture for daytime use, the Wind Down Nightly Mind-Relaxing Tincture for nighttime use, and the Tough Love Period Pain Relief Cream to alleviate physical discomfort.

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