Well-Woman Care and Exams

Banner Health focuses on preventative care for women's health at every age and every phase of life. We encourage all women to have annual well-woman exams to evaluate the health of your reproductive organs.

If we discover you need care for a breast or gynecologic condition, we will make sure you get the treatment you need. Banner Health is ready to provide personalized care for you during your well-woman visit. Learn more about well-woman care services and what to expect.

What Is Well-Woman Care?

Well-woman care focuses on the overall health of a woman during her annual visit. These well-woman check-ups can be for preventative care or be used to discuss any health issues you may be having. With these annual visits, you and your doctor will cover general health, sexual health, birth control, menopause and anything else you would like to discuss.

What to Expect During a Well-Woman Visit

During a well-woman care visit, you can expect a few well-woman exams to ensure your overall health is in good condition. What happens at your well-woman check-up is up to you and your provider so talk with your doctor about any concerns you may have regarding hormones, pregnancy and more.

Well-Woman Exams, Screenings and Testing

An important reason for having well-woman exams on a regular basis is to make sure that your doctor is able to catch and diagnose issues early on and to work with you on a plan for treatment as soon as possible.

Some well-woman exams and screening tests your doctor may order during your well-woman exam include:

• Lab work such as blood tests and urine tests
• Pap test
• Ultrasound
• Breast biopsy, including stereotactic breast biopsy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, fine-needle aspiration and surgical biopsy
• Breast cyst aspiration
• Ductogram to evaluate nipple discharge
• Pelvic exam
• Breast exam
• Screening mammogram

If you need any of these exams or tests, your doctor will discuss them with you and also will review the results with you to ensure that all of your questions are answered.

What Questions Will My Doctor Ask Me?

Questions will vary depending on if you have been seeing your provider for a few years or if you have just started going to a new provider. General questions asked by your doctor during a well-woman exam may include:

• When was your last period?
• How often do you get your period?
• Are you sexually active?
• Are you using birth control?
• Do you want to get pregnant?
• Do you want to get tested for STDs/STIs?

While your provider may be the one asking questions, it’s important for you to ask questions you may have as well. Make sure to come with a prepared list of questions if you have concerns or issues about your physical health or any of our well woman care services.

Women over 40 can expect recommendations about when to begin your annual mammogram screenings or a discussion about the changes that come with perimenopause or menopause. Rest assured your doctor will be able to answer any questions or explain concerns you may have. We’re ready to provide customized, comprehensive care for you at every stage of life.