Women’s Health Q & A

What is a woman’s health wellness check?

A woman’s health wellness check will monitor all of a woman’s basic healthcare needs. It’s an opportunity for you and your doctor to catch up on your health and well being in a setting where you feel comfortable and confident in your healthcare needs and your relationship with your doctor. Although each visit is different, a basic well-woman checkup covers all needs that are basic to any woman’s health as well as your specific individual concerns. After a general health survey, which will include questions related to your health and lifestyle, the doctor will talk to you about:

• Contraception

• Mental health concerns such as depression or trauma

• Nutrition and diet

• UTIs

• A check on current vaccinations and immunizations

• Basic checks such as blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and cholesterol

• STI testing if necessary (including HIV screening)

Why do I need a women’s health screening?

Although life can be stressful for all adults, women often take on the brunt of household chores, childcare, and other household specific duties as well as careers or occupations outside of the house. This leads to a specific strain or stress that can affect women differently than it does for men. Your annual well-woman exam is an opportunity to talk to your doctor about your life and identify opportunities to make sustainable healthy choices.

In a woman’s exam, you are able to benefit from advice that is specific to your particular needs and invest time in yourself. Additionally, there are certain aspects of health that are vital to reproductive health, wellness, or even stress reduction that is often overlooked if not monitored by regular screenings. For example, you can schedule annual screenings such as Pap smears, checkups, and mammograms to be taken care of during this annual checkup.

What kind of birth control should I be using?

The short answer to this question is the kind of birth control that works best for you and fits in with your lifestyle. Since there are a variety of birth control methods available, it is good to know what method works best for your particular needs and plans. Consultation with a doctor will allow you to determine some specifics such as sensitivity to birth control hormones, allergy to latex, desires for family planning in the future, concerns about certain forms of birth control, and your overall health and wellbeing. The physicians at DOCCS provide specific family planning and birth control advice for all women under their care.

If you are due for an annual exam, Pap smear or just want to talk to one of our doctors, call or book an appointment online today.