On January 3rd, Melissa dutifully scheduled her annual gynecology appointment. “Just a Pap smear, right?” she asked the receptionist. She’d been doing this same routine for 15 years: show up, get screened for cervical cancer, leave. Check the box on preventive care, move on with life.
What she didn’t realize: she’d been missing out on the actual purpose of an annual women’s wellness visit, which is so much more than a single screening test.
If “get healthier” or “prioritize my health” made your 2026 resolution list, your annual women’s wellness exam is where that goal becomes concrete action. But most women, like Melissa, don’t understand what this visit should actually include or why it matters beyond cancer screening.
Let’s fix that.
What Is a Women’s Wellness Exam?
An annual wellness exam (sometimes called a well-woman visit) is a comprehensive preventive health checkup focused on your overall health and wellbeing, not just your reproductive system. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this visit should address:
- General health screening (blood pressure, BMI, overall health status)
- Age-appropriate cancer screenings (not just cervical)
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Mental health screening
- Preventive care planning
- Chronic disease management
- Lifestyle and wellness counseling
Think of it as your annual health audit: a chance to catch problems early, optimize your health, and create a plan for the year ahead.
What Should Happen at Your Annual Visit
Health History Review: Your provider should review your medical history, family history, medications, supplements, and any new symptoms or concerns. This isn’t just paperwork, it’s pattern recognition. Changes in your health history might warrant different screening approaches or preventive strategies.
Vital Signs and Physical Exam: Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and a general physical assessment. High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 women and often has no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your annual visit might be the only time it gets checked.
Cancer Screenings (Age-Appropriate):
- Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear and/or HPV testing): Recommendations vary by age, but generally every 3-5 years for most women
- Breast exam: Clinical breast exams and mammogram recommendations based on age and risk factors
- Colorectal cancer screening: Starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals
- Skin checks: Visual inspection for concerning moles or lesions
Important note: cervical cancer screening is NOT annual for most women. If you have normal results and low risk factors, you likely don’t need a Pap smear every single year. The screening interval depends on your age and test results.
Reproductive Health Assessment:
- Contraception counseling and management
- Fertility planning discussions
- Menstrual cycle concerns
- Sexual health and function
- Menopause management (if applicable)
Mental Health Screening: Depression and anxiety screening should be routine. The American Psychological Association reports that women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, yet many never discuss mental health with their healthcare provider.
Preventive Care Planning:
- Vaccination updates (flu, Tdap, COVID-19, HPV if eligible)
- Bone density screening recommendations (usually starting at 65, earlier if risk factors present)
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Diabetes screening if indicated
Lifestyle and Wellness Counseling: Discussion of nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, substance use, and other factors affecting your long-term health.
What You Should Bring to Your Appointment
Come prepared to make the most of your time:
Your Questions: Write them down ahead of time. The average medical visit is 15-20 minutes. Don’t waste time trying to remember what you wanted to ask.
Medication List: Include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. Bring the actual bottles if you’re unsure of names or doses.
Family Health History Updates: New diagnoses in close relatives (parents, siblings, children) can change your screening recommendations.
Symptom Tracking: If you have concerns about your menstrual cycle, sleep, mood, or other symptoms, bring a log. “I feel tired” is less useful than “I’ve tracked my sleep for 3 weeks and average 5 hours nightly despite being in bed for 8.”
Previous Records: If you’re seeing a new provider, bring relevant test results, surgical records, or other documentation that might inform your care.
The Tests You Might Need (But Probably Don’t Expect)
Beyond the standard physical exam, your provider might recommend:
Blood Work:
- Complete blood count (checking for anemia, which affects up to 20 percent of women of reproductive age)
- Lipid panel (cholesterol screening, typically every 5 years starting at age 45, earlier if risk factors)
- Thyroid function tests (if symptoms suggest thyroid issues)
- Vitamin D levels (deficiency is extremely common, especially in winter)
- Blood glucose or A1C (diabetes screening, especially important with risk factors)
STI Testing: Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, if you’ve had new partners since your last screening, testing for sexually transmitted infections is important. The CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for all sexually active women under 25, and older women with risk factors.
Bone Density Screening: Women over 65, or younger women with risk factors like early menopause or long-term steroid use, may need bone density testing. Osteoporosis affects approximately 10 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
What Changes After Age 40, 50, and 65
Your wellness visit evolves as you age:
In Your 40s:
- Mammograms typically start (age 40-50 depending on risk factors and personal choice, definitely by 50)
- Cardiovascular risk assessment becomes more important
- Perimenopause symptoms may begin
- Mental health screening remains crucial (depression rates peak in women ages 40-59)
In Your 50s:
- Menopause management
- Colorectal cancer screening begins at 45
- Bone health becomes a priority
- Cardiovascular disease risk increases significantly (heart disease is the leading cause of death for women)
At 65 and Beyond:
- Bone density screening
- Increased focus on fall prevention and mobility
- Cognitive screening
- Continued cancer surveillance
The Conversation You’re Not Having (But Should Be)
Most women leave their annual visit without discussing:
Sexual Health and Function: Pain with intercourse, decreased libido, concerns about sexual satisfaction. These are medical issues, not personal failings, and they’re treatable. Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that approximately 40 percent of women experience sexual dysfunction, but fewer than 20 percent discuss it with providers.
Mental Health Beyond Depression: Anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, trauma history. Your OB-GYN can screen, provide initial treatment, and refer to specialists when needed.
Perimenopause and Menopause: Symptoms often start years before your final period. Hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disruption, and irregular bleeding are manageable, but only if you bring them up.
Urinary Issues: Leaking with coughing or exercise (stress incontinence), frequent urgent need to urinate, recurrent UTIs. These are incredibly common and often treatable with physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or medical interventions.
Weight and Metabolic Health: Not shame-based discussions about appearance, but evidence-based conversations about metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, and sustainable lifestyle changes.
Making Your Wellness Visit Actually Useful
Schedule Strategically: Book early in the year before calendars fill up. Avoid scheduling during your period if possible (makes cervical cancer screening and pelvic exams more difficult).
Don’t Rush: If you have multiple concerns, say so when scheduling. Some practices offer longer appointment slots for comprehensive visits.
Be Honest: Your provider can’t help with problems they don’t know exist. Embarrassment about symptoms or behaviors (alcohol use, sexual history, mental health struggles) prevents proper care.
Take Notes: If you receive test results, recommendations, or treatment plans, write them down. You will not remember everything discussed.
Ask About Next Steps: Before leaving, confirm: What tests were ordered? When will I get results? When should I schedule my next visit? Do I need to do anything between now and then?
What If Nothing Is Wrong?
Good. That’s the point. Preventive care isn’t just about finding problems, it’s about preventing them. Your annual wellness visit when you feel healthy:
- Establishes baseline values for comparison later
- Catches early changes before they become serious problems
- Provides opportunity for health optimization, not just disease treatment
- Creates continuity with a provider who knows your history
Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that women who receive regular preventive care have better long-term health outcomes and lower healthcare costs than those who only seek care when symptomatic.
The Bottom Line
Your annual women’s wellness visit is not a “just get it over with” checkbox exercise. It’s a comprehensive health strategy session, a preventive care planning meeting, and an opportunity to address concerns you might otherwise ignore.
If your 2026 resolution involves better health, prioritizing self-care, or feeling your best, this appointment is where that commitment becomes actionable.
Stop thinking of it as an obligation. Start treating it as an investment in your health for the next year and the decades beyond.
Ready to prioritize your health in 2026? Schedule your annual women’s wellness exam. Let’s create a comprehensive health plan tailored to your life stage, risk factors, and goals.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). Well-Woman Visit. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/well-woman-visit
American Psychological Association. (2024). Depression in Women. https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/depression
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). High Blood Pressure. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Screening Recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm
National Osteoporosis Foundation. (2024). Osteoporosis Facts. https://www.nof.org/
Shifren, J. L., et al. (2008). Sexual problems and distress in United States women: prevalence and correlates. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 112(5), 970-978.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2024). A and B Recommendations. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/
