Women’s Health Checkup

Summary

Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment are better. As a woman, you need some special exams and screenings. During your checkup, your health care provider will usually do:

• A pelvic exam – an exam to check if internal female organs are normal by feeling their shape and size.
• A Pap test – a test to check for cancer of the cervix, the opening to a woman’s uterus. Cells from the cervix are examined under a microscope.
• A clinical breast exam – to check for breast cancer by feeling and looking at your breasts.

Your health care provider may also recommend other tests, including a mammogram or a test for HPV.

Patient Handouts

• Cervical cancer — screening and prevention Medical Encyclopedia
• Health screening – women – age 18 – 39 Medical Encyclopedia
• Health screening – women – age 40 – 64 Medical Encyclopedia
• Health screening – women – over 65 Medical Encyclopedia
• Women’s health Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Cervical Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute
• Mammograms Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Pelvic Exam Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Pelvis Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Women’s Health National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Teenagers

• Gyn Checkups (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Why See a Gynecologist? Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Your Daughter’s First Gynecology Visit Nemours Foundation
• Your First Pelvic Exam Boston Children’s Hospital

Journal Articles

• Women’s Health Checkup