Your Annual Exam: More Than Just a Pap Smear
If you were assigned female at birth, your annual visit with your OB-GYN or women’s healthcare provider plays an essential role in preventative care. While screenings for cervical cancer (Pap smears) aren’t needed every year, it’s still important to schedule your annual exam. These visits are an opportunity to stay on top of your health, maintain long-term wellness and check in with a provider who understands your health baseline and can identify even subtle changes over time.
Cervical Cancer Screenings and ACOG Guidelines
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women ages 21–29 have a Pap test every three years (with HPV testing optional after age 25). Women ages 30–65 can choose Pap testing every three years, HPV testing every five years or both every five years. Screening can typically stop after age 65 if recent results have been consistently normal.
Even if you aren’t due for a screening, your annual exam remains an important part of your preventative care. At Women’s Care, our OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives provide comprehensive care focused on your whole-body health.
Beyond the Pap Smear
Pap and HPV tests are just one piece of your preventative care. Women—and anyone with a uterus, including transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming individuals—should meet with their Women’s Care provider every year.
Your appointment may include conversations and care related to:
- Exercise and movement
- Lifestyle habits
- Vaccinations
- Mammograms and breast/chest health
- Colon cancer screenings
- Bone health
- Sexual health and STI/STD screening
- Mental and emotional well-being
Symptoms and Concerns
Annual exams focus on overall wellness and preventative care. If you have new symptoms, concerns, pain or issues that need evaluation, those deserve dedicated time and attention. Your Women’s Care provider will be happy to schedule a separate appointment so your concerns can be fully addressed without being rushed. See the chart below.
What to Expect at Your Annual Exam
Your annual exam is an opportunity to focus on your overall health and wellness. These appointments typically include:
- Reviewing your health history, lifestyle and daily habits
- Completing a physical exam
- Updating preventative care needs, including screenings and vaccinations
- Discussing health goals
If it’s been more than a year since your last exam, now’s the time to schedule. Regular visits with your provider are one of the simplest ways to protect your health for years to come.
