Annual Exams

Under 21: Establishing a relationship with a gynecologist early in life can be very helpful for a young woman. A regular visit to a UWH of Texas healthcare professional should begin at the start of puberty. Although the first well visits will not include a pelvic exam, seeing an OB/GYN early in life will help to establish a baseline for future visits. A teenager will have many questions about the changes in her body, including her first menstrual cycles, and the experienced and caring providers at UWH of Texas will address these concerns during each visit.

Ages 21-39: A woman in her prime child-bearing years will need regular gynecological exams to ensure she enjoys the best possible reproductive health and to catch any issues relating to pelvic and breast health early. A pelvic exam, abdominal exam, and breast exam are part of the routine preventive care that is so important to a woman’s health at this stage in her life. Beginning at around age 21, a pap smear will also be a regular part of the annual exam (are paps still recommended annually?). Addressing your concerns about your health and any symptoms you may be experiencing is a critical and caring part of every visit to a UWH of Texas OB/GYN professional.

Ages 40+ A woman’s healthcare needs will change as she enters older adulthood, but the annual exam will continue to be of utmost importance. The symptoms or perimenopause and then menopause itself will typically begin when a woman enters her late 40s and early 50s. Addressing concerns about this new phase in your life will be important to your health and well-being, including your mental health, as you manage these new experiences in your life. At about age 45, you will also have regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer and other issues with your breast health. Your annual well exam with a caring and experienced UWH of Texas provider can help ensure that you continue to enjoy good health throughout every stage of your life as a woman.