Women's Health

What is women’s health?

Women’s health refers to an area of medicine focused on providing women with the care they need to maintain good health. Due to your reproductive organs, your health care needs are different than men and require specialized medical management. And while men and women often develop the same chronic health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease, your presenting symptoms may be different and require distinct treatment.

The family medicine specialists at Ross Medical Group have extensive training to be able to manage the health care needs of the entire family, including the medical needs specific to women.

What can I expect during a well-woman exam?

The team at Ross Medical Group conduct comprehensive evaluations when you come in for your well-care visit, also known as a well-woman exam. The purpose of the well-care exam is to assess your overall health, review your health concerns, and provide preventive health care management.

During your evaluation, your specialist reviews your medical and family history and conducts a physical and gynecological exam, which may include a Pap smear to evaluate cervical cell changes that may indicate early signs of cervical cancer.

After your examination, your specialist provides an assessment of your health and offers recommendations to maintain or improve wellness. Vaccinations and screenings, such as a mammogram, may be recommended. Depending on your sexual health, they may recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well.

How often do I need a Pap smear?

Your specialist at Ross Medical Group determines how frequently you need to get a Pap smear. In general, women should start getting a Pap smear at age 21 and then a repeat test every three years up until age 65. However, if you have a family history of cervical cancer or a personal history of an abnormal test, you may need to have a Pap smear conducted more often.

What are the special health issues that affect women?

Ross Medical Group is a full-service family medicine practice that manages many common women’s health issues. Some of the areas of specialty include:

• Vaccinations for human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Management of menopausal symptoms with hormone replacement therapy
• Treatment for low libido

The family medicine team at Ross Medical Group also provides birth control for women, including Depo-Provera injections, and can help determine the best method for you during your women’s health exam.

The caring team at Ross Medical Group provide accessible and convenient care for women. For expert women’s health care, call the office today or book an appointment online.