Annual Gynecological Exam
An annual gynecological exam or gynecology test is an essential aspect of preventative care for all women. Therefore, we recommend women have a gynecological exam at least once a year. The gyno check-up includes a general health history, pelvic exam, potentially a pap smear, and most importantly, discussion of any questions or concerns the patient may have.
The annual gynecological test is recommended at least once a year for all sexually active adult women. Besides the physical examination, during women’s yearly exam, New York gynecologist checks vital signs, including pulse, respiration, blood pressure, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, urine, and blood. In addition, the exam includes screening tests for gynecological and breast cancers.
Patient History
The gyno exam will begin by taking a thorough patient history, including asking questions about gynecological and obstetrical history, including sexual activity and pain. It will include past medical, surgical, family history, and medications. Giving the women’s health specialists a complete history will help them tailor their recommendations to the patient.
Visual Inspection
The OBGYN specialist will perform a breast examination. Patients need to note any new discharge, bleeding, pain, lumps, or bumps they may have noticed. The specialist will also examine your armpits, looking for lymph nodes or masses. If your doctor finds an abnormality, they may send you for further breast ultrasound or mammogram testing.
Pelvic Exam
The pelvic exam is an evaluation of the pelvic organs of a woman. During the pelvic exam, the gynecologist will inspect the external genitalia visually.
Speculum Exam
The purpose of the speculum exam is to visualize the vaginal canal which leads to the cervix. A cervical evaluation is a key to a women’s health visit. Abnormal bleeding issues or issues with pain during sex or pelvic pain always start with a speculum exam. You may discover many reasons for these concerns without the need for further examinations. Visualization of the vaginal canal is an essential aspect of the pelvic exam as the doctor can screen for masses or other abnormalities leading to further testing if necessary.
The speculum examination is recommended for all adult women regardless of their sexual activity. The speculum can be made of either metal or plastic and has two parts that help open the vagina so that the doctor can adequately visualize the vaginal walls and cervix with the help of a light source.
Screening Test for Cervical Cancer
The pap smear is used as a screening test for cervical cancer and looks for infections with the human papillomavirus. Depending on your last visit and current symptoms, you may or may not need a pap smear during your annual exam.
Pap smear involves your doctor gently brushing some cells off the surface of the cervix and from its sides. After the procedure, there may be temporary spotting that will usually resolve within 24 hours.
Your doctor will send the samples to a pathologist who will look at the cells under a microscope to determine if they look abnormal. If the cells appear anything different than average, it will usually lead to the recommendation for a colposcopy test. A colposcopy test is when the women’s health specialist takes a closer look at the patient’s cervix and vagina using a special microscope. In addition, we may take samples by doing a small biopsy of the cervix or vagina and send them to a pathologist for evaluation.
Discuss Sensitive Issues
The Manhattan Women’s Health and Wellness annual exam is an excellent opportunity for the patients in New York City to discuss any sensitive issues of concern to the woman, such as frequent urination, abnormal bleeding, or painful intercourse.
Have questions about the Annual OB-GYN exam in NYC? Then, schedule an appointment with the best Midtown NYC gynecologist of Manhattan Women’s Health and Wellness, today.
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 by Manhattan Women’s Health and Wellness
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New York, NY 10010
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New York, NY 10011
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