What to expect: Going to the gynecologist

Key Takeaways

• Routine trips to the gynecologist can be awkward, but they shouldn’t be scary.
• Clinical breast and pelvic exams are intended to catch problems early, when they’re at their most treatable stage.
• Other recommended screenings include Pap smears, mammograms, colon cancer screening, and bone density screening, when age appropriate.
• Yearly appointments should continue beyond menopause.

Whether it’s a routine exam or an appointment to address a concern, trips to the gynecologist can be awkward for some women.

To put your mind at ease, we’re going to discuss what to expect during a routine exam and the importance of regular screenings.

Let’s talk

The first thing we want to do is talk to you and get to know you and your medical history. More specifically, we want to learn about your gynecologic and obstetric history. We will also discuss any relevant family history that may pertain to you.

There are a lot of myths within the OB/GYN field, but the most popular one I want to debunk is that we’re not as scary as you might think – especially your very first visit!

Our goal is to hear you out, get a full history, and provide you with safe and accurate care at whatever pace works for you.

The exam

There are two main parts to the gynecologic exam: a breast exam and a pelvic exam.

A clinical breast exam is done to visually and manually inspect the tissue of the breast and underarm area to check for any abnormalities, such as lumps or skin changes.

A routine pelvic exam is a physical evaluation of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. The provider will check for abnormalities and assess your reproductive health.

A Pap smear may be included in the pelvic exam. The provider will insert a speculum into your vagina to keep it open and will then use a small brush or spatula to collect cells from the cervix. The test can be uncomfortable, but your provider will work with you to make it as easy as possible.

Routine screenings

From a gynecologic standpoint, there are a few screenings we recommend.

A breast exam and pelvic exam can be done starting around age 21 and continuing throughout a woman’s lifetime on an annual basis.

The interval of Pap smears for cervical cancer screening will depend on personal history and risk factors. If you have normal Pap smears on a consistent basis, we perform them every three-to-five years.

Starting at age 40, we recommend starting yearly mammograms for breast cancer screening. If you are at high risk, mammograms could start earlier.

Other items we also think about as gynecologists are colon cancer screening tools starting at 45 and bone density screening starting at age 65.

Of course, we try to help our primary care providers as well, and perform blood pressure screening, BMI screening, and other routine assessments when you come to our office.

Menopause and beyond

We do recommend you continue to see an OBGYN after menopause because there are important screenings that continue during this time, as well as routine gynecologic health concerns.  

We continue to perform screenings for breast disease and gynecologic disease throughout menopause. We are also happy to address any menopausal symptoms you may be facing and get you on the right track.

Fear not

We understand that going to the gynecologist can be scary. I remember being super nervous during my first gynecology visit.  Just remember, we’re here for you!

Keep in mind that the earlier you bring something to our attention, the higher the chances are of resolving it.

And most importantly, come see us every year. Keep up to date with your regular screenings, and see what we can do to help your gynecologic health.

For more information on WVU Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, click here.