- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Well Women Checks
It can be a good idea to undergo a well woman check every year to ensure everything is functioning properly and healthily. Many women choose to have the tests involved performed to give them peace of mind, and to catch and treat any disorders that may develop before they become a bigger problem. It is important to tend to gynaecological health, as failure to spot and prevent problems early can have unwanted consequences.
The well women checks are separated into two parts. The first part of the check is for the patient to simply talk to a gynaecologist and answer some questions. The gynaecologist will ask questions about the patient’s menstrual cycle, methods of contraception and any other problems such as pain during intercourse or incontinence. It is normal for many questions to be asked to ensure nothing is overlooked during this stage of the well woman check. If the patient mentions any problems they might have noticed, these areas will be looked into during the second part of the well woman check.
Common complaints include irregular periods, unusual vaginal discharge and problems with the frequency of urination. These could all suggest disorders, but may not end up being serious at all.
The second part of the well woman check is to perform a number of tests on the patient. These test range from simple blood and urine tests that are usually taken regardless of any complaints, to smear tests and mammograms. All women can be checked for any sexually transmitted diseases if they wish. As well as the standard tests to determine whether the patient is healthy or not, some women will be subject to more specialised tests if the gynaecologist believes they may have any more serious disorders.
A smear test is an important part of the well women checks. Not only can it highlight any abnormalities, but it can also signal more pressing issues. A gynaecologist may also perform a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast tissue that can show if there are any signs of breast cancer. Some women may have fertility issues that need to be investigated further. If they express concern during the discussion with their gynaecologist, tests may be performed to check their fertility. The whole process can be relatively straightforward and painless, and it is always important to make sure there are no problems by getting checked out frequently and discussing concerns when they arise.