Paradigm Hormones Moore offers women’s wellness exams. On staff includes a nurse practitioner that has extensive experience in women’s wellness. In most cases a women’s wellness exam includes a pelvic exam and pap smear. It is also recommended that most women get their first pap smear by age 21. A pap smear is used for the detection of cervical cancer.

The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend the following guidelines apply for most women:

• Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.
• Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.

If you have had a hysterectomy, you still may need screening. The decision is mostly based on whether your cervix was removed. Even if your cervix is removed at the time of hysterectomy, cervical cells may still be present. If you have a history of cervical cancer or cervical cell changes, you should continue to have screening for 20 years after the time of your surgery.

To prepare for your wellness exam, consider the following:

• bring a list of concerns or questions
• discuss any health care concerns or problems
• review any ongoing health problems that may need more attention.

Most women’s wellness exams include the following:

• physical exam (including breast exam)
• pelvic exam and pap smear
• update on family health records
• review of your health history and ongoing health problems
• review of medications (bring list)
• • discussion of birth control