What can I expect during a women’s health exam?
Preventive women’s health exams should be a part of your annual health care plan. All women should receive an annual breast and pelvic exam to identify potential health issues in the earliest stages.
During a routine women’s health exam, your Fulshear Family Medicine physician reviews your personal and family medical history. They discuss any changes you’ve experienced during your last exam concerning periods or symptoms that affect your overall health.
As part of routine preventive care, the Fulshear Family Medicine physicians offer comprehensive breast exams to identify abnormalities or lumps in breast tissue. They also perform pelvic exams to evaluate your reproductive organs and vaginal health.
During your pelvic exam, your provider can do a Pap smear, which collects a sample of cells from your cervix to identify early signs of cervical cancer.
In addition to your Pap smear, your Fulshear Family Medicine provider can screen for sexually transmitted diseases, including human papillomavirus (HPV), which can increase your risk for cervical cancer.
What if my Pap smear results are abnormal?
If the results of your Pap smear are abnormal, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. There are several reasons why you may have abnormal Pap smear results, such as a vaginal infection or due to recent sexual activity.
Abnormal Pap smear results may require additional testing to confirm a diagnosis. Your Fulshear Family Medicine provider discusses your options moving forward for treatment or refers you for care with a specialist.
Your physician can also recommend treatment if your STD screenings indicate you have a disease. Treatment focuses on relieving your symptoms and preventing the spread of an STD to others.
What family planning services are available?
The Fulshear Family Medicine physicians provide on-site family planning counseling services and can prescribe birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
After a review of your medical history and a discussion about your desire to have children, now or in the future, your doctor can recommend options for birth control, such as injections, oral medications, or an intrauterine device (IUD).
If it’s been more than a year since your last women’s health exam, schedule an appointment today at Fulshear Family Medicine by calling the office or by using the online booking system to request a consultation.
