Your annual well-woman exam is more than a routine checkup, it’s an opportunity for you to take charge of your health. Whether you’re wondering if your period is normal, thinking about pregnancy, or entering menopause, asking the right questions can help you better understand your body, identify potential health risks, and make educated decisions about your care.
The women’s health specialists at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, encourage every patient to come prepared with questions. Here are some of the topics you can ask about at your next women’s wellness visit.
Preventive health screenings help detect health issues before you have symptoms, making treatment more effective. The health screenings you need depend on your age, personal health history, family history, and lifestyle.
Common screenings include:
We recommend screenings based on your personal risk factors.
Blood tests can provide valuable information about your overall health. Depending on your age, symptoms and medical history, we may recommend bloodwork to:
If you’re having symptoms such as fatigue, irregular periods, or hot flashes, bloodwork may help determine if it’s your hormones or something else.
Changes in your menstrual cycle can provide important clues about your reproductive health. While you don’t have to wait until your annual wellness visit if you have concerns about your period, this appointment is a good time to talk about your concerns.
Abnormal bleeding such as heavy periods, spotting in between, or going months without your period are potential signs you may have a reproductive issue such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) or endometriosis.
Your healthcare needs and family planning goals can change over time, which means your birth control method may need to change, too.
Preventing pregnancy isn’t the only reason we recommend birth control. We may also prescribe it to manage heavy periods, irregular menstrual cycles, or painful periods.
If your current method causes unwanted side effects, you’re considering pregnancy in the near future, or you simply want a lower-maintenance option, asking about birth control options at your well-woman visit can help you get a better fit.
If pregnancy is part of your future plans, your annual wellness visit is the ideal time to start getting ready. We can talk to you about lifestyle changes that can improve your health and chances of conception, your need for prenatal vitamins, and how to manage chronic health conditions before and during pregnancy.
Preparing before conception can help support a healthier pregnancy for you and your baby.
Annual wellness visits help us monitor your health over time and find trends that might otherwise go unnoticed.
We can talk to you about changes in your weight, blood pressure, or labs and what they might indicate about your future health. Understanding these trends may inspire you to make changes that can reduce your risk of health problems down the road.
Your annual women’s wellness visit is all about you, giving us a chance to provide individualized guidance based on what we learn from you and your exam. Our team recommends realistic lifestyle changes that can help you achieve your health goals. Small changes now can have a significant effect on health later.
Your annual wellness visit is your chance to ask questions, discuss concerns, and partner with your provider at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, to protect your health at every stage. The more you share, the more we can personalize your care.
If it’s been more than a year since your wellness visit, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Call us today or request an appointment online.
