Gynecology Care

You’re busy. We get that. You have places to go, people to see, tasks to mark off that ever-growing to-do list. Why take time out of your day to see your gynecologist each year—especially when you may not even need a pap test to check for cervical cancer?

The truth is your check in with your gynecologist is about much more than screening for cervical cancer. It gives you and your provider the opportunity to touch base about your overall health as a woman—from family planning to menstrual cycles; contraceptive care to mental health; cancer screenings to menopause management; how you’re eating and exercising to chatting about risk factors for heart disease.

During your wellness exam, we’ll cover all these topics and more. After all, we want you to feel healthy from your head to your toes. It’s the perfect time and place to make sure you’re at your healthiest and up to date on all your screenings, including:

Based on your medical and family history, your doctor may also recommend additional testing. It’s a plan you can make together to keep you feeling your best.

Let’s be honest: Most women aren’t overly thrilled to have a cervical cancer screening. The good news is that these tests are quick, painless and only take a few seconds to complete. Even better, you may not need one every year.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends the following screening guidelines:

• Women ages 21 to 29 should have a pap test every three years. Women ages 25-29 may consider HPV testing alone, but pap tests are recommended for this age group.
• Women ages 30 to 65 can choose from one of three screening options:
• Pap and HPV test every five years
  • Pap test every three years
  • HPV test every five years

Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer. Research indicates that less frequent screenings will identify signs of cervical cancer before it spreads and reduce the risk of unnecessary invasive procedures. If you have a medical or family history of abnormal Pap tests or cervical cancer, your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings.