Patient PortalRequest an Appointment919-942-8571
Menu
Chapel Hill OBGYN
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Obstetrics
    • Midwifery
    • Centering Pregnancy®
    • Gynecology
    • Health Maintenance
    • Infertility
    • In Office Procedures
    • Ultrasound
    • Laboratory
    • Classes
    • Advanced Care Team
  • Our Team
    • Providers
    • Clinical
    • Administrative
    • Advanced Care Team
  • For Patients
    • Patient Portal
    • Insurance
    • Billing
    • Classes
    • FAQ
    • Resources
    • Blog
  • Classes
  • Locations
    • Chapel Hill
    • Durham Southpoint
Close Menu
how to get the most out of your obgyn annual exam
June 10 2020

How to Get the Most Out of Your OBGYN Annual Exam

Chapel Hill Obstetrics & Gynecology All Articles

Getting the most out of your OBGYN annual exam centers around one principle:

Communication with compassionate care.

We believe in open and honest discussions because when it comes to your health, we want you to have the information you need. This is at the heart of what will guide you to get the most out of your yearly physical.

“This is a great time for us to get to know your health concerns and issues,” said Dr. Sonya Williams. “But most importantly, it establishes us as partners in your care. We want to assure you that we will always be there to supply the highest level of compassionate service for you.”

We’ve compiled some information and points that will help you as you plan for your next visit.

Ask Questions at Your Yearly OBGYN Exam!

We really mean it. We do want you to ask questions. Health care should be tailored to your needs and by asking questions, you help us craft the best quality care.

Not sure where to start? You may want to take a look at these questions to ask at your OBGYN yearly screening and exam.

Below are some additional topics that you should consider discussing with us:

  • Preconception planning
  • Vaginal itching and irritation
  • Breast self-exams
  • Sex—particularly if intercourse is painful
  • Family history of cancer
  • Current medications
  • Any herbal or natural supplements you’re taking
  • Questions about anatomy or physical changes regarding your genitals
  • Irregular, painful or heavy periods
  • Any previous tests that had abnormal results
  • Birth control

Be Prepared

Taking a few simple steps can help you be more prepared and relaxed before your OBGYN annual exam.

We do not recommend douching before an exam. If you have vaginal discharge, it’s important that we are able to evaluate it. Plus, douching can change the balance between the “good” and “bad” bacteria in the vagina, so we do not advise our patients to douche at any time, regardless of whether or not they have an exam scheduled.

We also suggest that you avoid vaginal intercourse 24 hours before your exam.

Ideally, you should schedule your exam for when you’re not on your period.

What If My Period Starts The Week of My Annual Exam?

If you unexpectedly have your period the day of your annual exam, we want you to know that we can still generally examine someone when they are having a period.

However, if it makes you more comfortable to wait and reschedule, we’ll be glad to accommodate you.

If you find that your period is irregular, we encourage you to speak with us. While irregular periods are very common, they can also be caused by issues such as polyps or fibroids. We want to know the cause of the issue so we can help you.

Feel Free to Ask About Non-OBGYN Issues

Having difficulty sleeping?

Are you feeling depressed a lot lately?

We want to know. Many of your bodily functions are interconnected. For example, the trouble that you are having with your bladder may be a clue as to what is going on with your vagina.

We consider it a privilege to care for you, and for that reason, we want to know about all your health issues. Even if these issues aren’t necessarily gynecological in nature, we still need to have the information to give us a more complete picture.

We can also refer you to specialists if you need them, particularly if it’s discovered that you have a chronic illness such as diabetes.

Ask Us About Annual OBGYN Exam Tests

Do you have a family history of breast cancer? Perhaps your age puts you at greater risk for osteoporosis.

Ask us about when you should consider beginning regular screenings for conditions such as:

  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • HPV
  • Uterine cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis

There may be other annual OBGYN exam tests you may need depending upon your individual health history. Speak to us so we can help guide you.

Discover a Better Way Toward a Healthier Life with Chapel Hill OBGYN

Your yearly physical is an important appointment you shouldn’t overlook. This enables us to not only conduct routine cancer screenings but it allows time for us to discuss your health care needs and goals.

Schedule an appointment with us today—many times we can fit you in within two weeks after your call. See why we’re the trusted OBGYNs in the Chapel Hill and Triangle area.

Important Steps to Take if You Missed a Birth Control Pill Meet the Staff – Melinda Everett

Related Posts

five tips for creating a birth plan

All Articles, Pregnancy

Five Tips for Creating Your Birth Plan

Pat Chappell has been with Chapel Hill OBGYN for more than 30 years, providing compassionate care for hundreds of women throughout the decades.

All Articles, Our Practice

Meet Our Physicians: Dr. Pat Chappell

Mom experiencing postpartum depression and holding her baby.

All Articles, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Experiencing Postpartum Depression? Don’t Let it Control You.

SEARCH

Recent Posts

  • 10 Important Tips for Preparing for Childbirth
  • Let’s Get Real About Postpartum at Home
  • How to Prepare Your Child for a New Baby
  • When to Talk to Your Daughter About Birth Control
  • The Most Effective Menopause Treatments

Categories

  • Abnormal Periods
  • Annual Exam
  • Birth Control
  • Cancer
  • Centering Pregnancy®
  • Fertility & Family Planning
  • Fibroids
  • First Trimester
  • Heavy Periods
  • Hormones & Menopause
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Infertility Treatments
  • Midwives
  • Our Practice
  • Painful Periods
  • Painful Sex
  • Pap Smear Testing
  • Postpartum
  • Pregnancy
  • Second Trimester
  • Sexual Health
  • Third Trimester
  • Vagina: What's Normal, What's Not
  • Vaginitis
  • Vaginosis
obgyn in durham nc
Back To Top
Chapel Hill OBGYN
© Chapel Hill OBGYN 2021
Tel. 919-942-8571
Privacy Policy | Website Design by Proclaim Interactive