Receive Your Annual Exams from an Expert at Dignity Health

A woman’s annual exam is a yearly visit to an OB/GYN or primary care doctor for a general check-up. Annual exams usually include recommended preventive screenings, depending on your age and health, as well as a chance to ask your Dignity Health doctor any questions about your overall health concerns. They provide a way to prevent health problems or find issues early when they are easiest to treat. 

You’ll find the complete care you need for women’s health with the experienced, specialized team of OB/GYNs at Dignity Health. Find a Doctor near you to schedule an annual exam in the Sacramento region.

What to Expect from an Annual Gynecological Exam in the Sacramento Region

During your annual exam at Dignity Health, you will discuss any changes in your family medical history, sexual health and family planning or fertility, review your fitness goals and dietary needs, and review any risk factors that you might have for heart disease.

Your annual gynecological exam will be customized to your needs and based on your overall health and age. The visit may include:

• Review of medical history: Your health care provider will ask about your overall health and follow up on any previously diagnosed medical concerns.
• Exams and screening tests: Your health care provider will record your weight and check your blood pressure. You may be asked a series of questions to screen for depression, substance use issues, and any safety concerns. Your provider will perform a clinical breast exam to carefully check your breasts for lumps. You may or may not need a pelvic exam or Pap test. The latest guidelines state that most women should have a Pap test every three to five years. Tests may be done to check for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and illnesses (STIs).
• Family planning: Whether you want to start a family or are trying to avoid pregnancy, your health care provider can give you the information you need and options to help you achieve your goals. This may include prescribing birth control or providing a referral to a reproductive specialist for fertility testing and conception assistance.
• Immunization: Your care provider will check your immunization records and offer and give you any necessary vaccinations, including HPV (for women up to age 26), influenza (flu), and booster shots.

Most health insurance plans cover annual exams as a preventive service. An annual exam takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. To prepare for your appointment, write down your questions, concerns, or symptoms, and make a list of all medications you are currently taking and any new family medical history.

An annual exam is an excellent investment in your health and well-being, so it’s worth making a priority. Make an appointment with one of our trusted doctors today.