Your annual gynecologic exam is an important part of your overall health. We typically recommend that annual exams begin between the ages of 16 and 21 years. Your doctor will assess your overall health as well as check your reproductive system each year. Establishing your gynecologic care early on is important so that we can establish a benchmark from which we can assess and screen for any changes and/or abnormalities that may need to be followed or treated.
The annual exam consists of:
- Your personal history
- A breast exam
- Pelvic exam and Pap smear
*A Note about Pap Smears – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women begin Pap smears at age 21. Women between the ages of 21-29 should get a Pap smear every three years, and then every three to five years after age 30. Screening will be more frequent for women with abnormal Pap smears.
