Why do I need a well-woman exam?
Your annual visit to Dr. MacDonald gives him the opportunity to assess your overall health, including your reproductive health. It also helps you and Dr. MacDonald establish a more trusting doctor-patient relationship that improves communication and your overall care.
What can I expect during a well-woman exam?
Your visit to Dr. MacDonald for your well-woman exam is unique to you and your special health care needs. However, during your exam, you can expect both a physical and pelvic exam.
During the physical exam, Dr. MacDonald checks your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. He may also palpate your internal organs and listen to your breath sounds.
To assess reproductive health, Dr. MacDonald must conduct a pelvic exam. During this portion of your exam, he has you sit on the gynecological table so he can evaluate your external genitalia. Then, with a speculum, he examines your internal reproductive organs. He may also do a Pap smear during your pelvic exam.
You can also expect a breast exam during your well-woman visit to assess for lumps and breast tissue abnormalities.
After he’s completed your examination, Dr. MacDonald spends time discussing your health and answering your questions. He may also recommend vaccinations, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), to protect you from serious health conditions.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear tests your cervical cells for risk of cancer. You should start getting Pap smears at age 21, and then get retested every three years up until age 65. However, Dr. MacDonald may recommend a different testing schedule depending on your health history and the results of your HPV test, which checks cervical cells for the presence of strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer.
If your Pap smear comes back positive, Dr. MacDonald may conduct a colposcopy, which is a procedure that allows him to view your cervical tissue using a special magnifying tool. He may also conduct a biopsy during your colposcopy.
Will I need any other special tests?
Depending on your age and health history, Dr. MacDonald may recommend other screening tests during your well-woman visit. Testing may include a mammogram or bone scan. Dr. MacDonald may also recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
For a thorough well-woman exam, call the office of Steven R. MacDonald, MD, today or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.
