Well Woman Exam Specialist

What is a well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam is a yearly physical that focuses specifically on the proper functioning and health of the female anatomy, such as the vulva, breasts, and uterus.

It’s also an opportunity for you to discuss with Dr. Medimpudi any concerns you might have about sex, STDs, periods, or anything else that affects the female anatomy.

What happens during a well-woman exam?

What actually happens during your well-woman exam varies depending on your age, medical history, and sexual history.

You should have your first well-woman visit by the time you’re 13 or 15, at which point the exam will likely just consist of a regular physical exam plus a talk with Dr. Medimpudi. You might discuss your period if you’re concerned about any pain, heaviness, or irregularity, and if you’re under 18, you might get some shots, like the HPV vaccine.

Once you’re sexually active, your well-woman exam will also cover discussions about birth control and STD testing or treatment.

When you turn 21, your well-woman exams begin to include regular pelvic exams, Pap tests, and breast exams. And as you get older and your body continues to change, you’ll begin to have mammograms as part of your visit, usually around the time you’re 40.

The one thing that remains consistent across all of your well-woman exams is a good, healthy, and open relationship with Dr. Medimpudi.

You should look at your well-woman exam as not only a time to check in on your physical health, but also an opportunity to discuss your emotional health as well. Dr. Medimpudi is incredibly caring and empathetic to any needs you might have or concerns that you might want to share.

How should I prepare for my well-woman exam?

Luckily, your well-woman exam is not a test that you can fail, so you don’t need to worry about preparing for it. There are some measures that you can take, however, that will make things run a little more smoothly.

First, schedule your well-woman exam for a day when you’re not due to have your period, unless you have a bleeding problem that Dr. Medimpudi has said that she wants to observe.

Second, be prepared to answer questions about your medical and sexual health and history. Some questions that Dr. Medimpudi might ask are:

• When was your last period?
• How often do you have periods and how long do they last?
• Do you ever bleed or spot in between periods?
• Have you experienced any pain, itching, or discharge from your vagina or vulva?
• Are you sexually active? With men, women, or both?
• Is sex ever painful for you?
• Do you ever bleed during or after sex?
• Are you using birth control?
• What are you doing to prevent STDs?

Third, be prepared to ask Dr. Medimpudi any questions that you might have. Some of the more common topics that patients ask about during a well-woman exam include:

• Birth control
• Pain or bleeding after sex
• Pelvic pain
• Irregular periods
• Pregnancy tests
• Vaginal discharge or smell
• STD tests

Dr. Medimpudi looks forward to helping you be as healthy as you can be. Schedule your well-woman exam today by calling the office of VCM Family Medicine or booking a visit online.