What does a women's wellness visit consist of?

Asked by: Mr. Coty Zieme MD  |  Last update: December 26, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (5 votes)

Well-woman visits focus on preventive care, which may include: A physical exam. Services, like vaccines (shots), that improve your health by preventing diseases and other health problems. Screening tests, which are medical tests to check for diseases early when they may be easier to treat.

What does a women's wellness exam include?

Physical Exam

Height and weight measurement. Blood pressure check. A breast exam to check for changes in skin texture, shape, nipple discharge and lumps. Pelvic exam to check for labia, vaginal, cervical, uterine and ovarian abnormalities.

What is a wellness check for a woman?

Wellness screening: Checking vital signs, including your weight, height, temperature, and blood pressure. Breast exam: Checking for any abnormal lumps or possible cysts. Pelvic exam: Your doctor may do a pelvic exam to asses the health of your vagina, uterus, ovaries, and cervix.

What do they check for a wellness exam?

Review your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Review your current health problems, as well as your medical, surgical, family and social histories. Review your current medications. Conduct a health risk assessment.

How long does a women's wellness check take?

The actual physical part of the exam should take roughly around 10 minutes. In addition, there will be portions before and after the exam during which you can ask any questions you may have and answer any questions.

What to Expect During a Wellness Exam | Planned Parenthood Video

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What is not included in a wellness visit?

Your insurance for your annual wellness visit does not cover any discussion, treatment or prescription of medications for chronic illnesses or conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. In this instance as well, you will be charged a copay and/or a deductible.

At what age does a woman no longer need a gynecologist?

Women over age 65 can stop getting screened if they've had at least three consecutive negative Pap tests or at least two negative HPV tests within the previous 10 years, according to the guidelines. But women who have a history of a more advanced precancer diagnosis should continue to be screened for at least 20 years.

Is bloodwork part of a wellness visit?

Does a Wellness Exam Include Blood Work? Yes, a wellness exam can include blood work. However, it's important to note that the specific tests conducted during a wellness exam may vary from person to person.

What not to do before a wellness check?

What not to do before a physical exam
  1. Consuming alcohol.
  2. Drinking caffeine within an hour of your visit.
  3. Eating a high-fat meal before bloodwork.
  4. Eating or drinking anything for eight to 12 hours, or as directed by your provider, before bloodwork that requires a fast.
  5. Taking cold medicine if you're feeling under the weather.

What is considered an abnormal finding on a wellness exam?

Abnormal finding represents any non-clinically significant abnormal symptoms/disease that have been newly diagnosed or have worsened since last visit (or since informed consent for baseline visit).

What is a full physical exam for females?

Physical Exam

Your medical specialist will review your medical history, ask about current healthcare issues and check vital signs such as heartbeat, reflexes, and more. A women's wellness exam may include an analysis of your urine to check for kidney infections or pregnancy.

What not to do before a well-woman exam?

Refrain from sex for two to three days before your exam to enable the Pap smear to return the most accurate results. Avoid using vaginal medicines, creams, powders, birth control foams, douches, or tampons in the two or three days before your appointment for the same reasons as above.

Does a wellness check include a pap smear?

Well-woman exams usually include three things: a pap smear, a pelvic exam, and a breast exam. These exams are essential as they can catch early signs of cancer or other health problems before they get out of hand. At the time of the appointment, you may also speak with your doctor about other health concerns you have.

What is the difference between an annual physical and a wellness exam?

What's the difference between the two appointments? Physical exams and wellness visits can seem different names for the same process, but there is a distinction. Wellness visits usually lack the core aspects of a thorough physical, opting instead just for basic vitals such as height, weight, and blood pressure.

What is a female wellness panel?

The women's wellness panel screening analyzes your blood to help you understand your risk for cardiovascular disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes. Thyroid Function screening determines the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is the key indicator for how well the thyroid gland is functioning.

What does a yearly gynecological exam consist of?

A physical exam may include a pelvic exam, cervical cancer screening, or a breast exam: In a pelvic exam, your ob-gyn may look at your vulva, vagina, and cervix to check for any signs of problems. And your ob-gyn may check your internal organs with a gloved hand.

Do they do blood work at a wellness check?

Wellness Check Contents: A wellness check typically includes an assessment of general health, lifestyle, family history, and a physical examination. Inclusion of Blood Work in Wellness Exams: Blood work is not always a standard part of a wellness exam but may be included based on individual health needs.

Does a wellness exam include shots?

Your annual preventive health exam (aka well visit or annual physical) is scheduled with your primary care physician to catch potential health issues early, before they become serious, and to help you focus on wellness and a healthy lifestyle while identifying important screening tests, vaccinations and other necessary ...

Can I drink coffee before a wellness exam?

If coffee is the only thing that gets you up in the morning, don't fret – drinking black coffee (as well as black tea) is still okay! If your appointment is early in the day, fast overnight and save that latte and breakfast sandwich for later.

Is a urine test part of a wellness exam?

Along with other screening tools like blood tests, urinalysis is an important part of your annual wellness visit. Urinalysis can be used to: Check your overall health. Diagnose a new health condition.

What is typically included in a wellness check?

During a wellness check, your doctor will typically: Review your medical history, including any past illnesses, surgeries, or medications you take. Discuss your lifestyle habits, such as diet, exercise, and smoking. Take your vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate.

Are annual wellness visits covered by insurance?

Additional primary care visits – Most health insurance plans will cover 1 annual check-up visit with your doctor. Other visits to your primary care physician are not covered under primary care.

Why no Pap smears after 65?

The findings support recommendations in some countries, such as the United States, where a history of negative screening results is recommended for stopping screening at age 65, after which the risk of a new HPV infection developing into cervical cancer is very low, said Nicolas Wentzensen, M.D., Ph.

What is the physical exam for menopause?

Should include measurement of blood pressure, weight and height, breast palpation, vaginal examination, and Pap smear.

What happens if you never go to the gynecologist?

A gyno visit is a great way to catch any potential health issues early on; for example, a Pap smear can detect cervical cancer early on, which is why it's often recommended for women over 21 years of age. If you skip your gyno appointment, you could miss out on important information about your health.