Women’s health is a crucial aspect of well-being, and one of the most important parts of maintaining it is through regular gynecological care. Routine visits, Pap smears, breast exams, and bloodwork are all essential for women’s health and can detect or prevent diseases that are specific to women. Xpress Wellness now offers women’s health visits at our Tulsa Hills location to provide these routine procedures to benefit the overall health and longevity of women of all ages. Find out what to expect at these visits, and how often they should occur.

Routine Exams

Like annual physicals, regular gynecological exams (also known as “well woman” visits) are important for establishing a baseline for health, and for early detection of certain health conditions and diseases. At a well-woman visit, healthcare providers will discuss lifestyle, exercise, diet, and hygiene practices with their patients. Vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate will be measured and recorded, along with an up-to-date list of medications and supplements the patient is taking. During this part of the visit, the healthcare provider will listen to the woman’s heart and lungs and may palpate the thyroid and lymph nodes along the neck.

Pap Smears

This crucial screening tool plays an important role in the early detection of cervical cancer. During this procedure, a small sample of cells is collected from a woman’s cervix. The sample is sent to a lab for examination for any abnormalities that may indicate the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells. Pap smears take only a moment and are virtually painless but can be instrumental in early cancer detection. 

Breast Exams

Breast exams are another vital part of women’s health that focuses primarily on early cancer detection. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, second only to skin cancers. Regular self-exams in conjunction with breast exams performed by a healthcare professional are integral to identifying any changes or abnormalities in breast tissue. Healthcare providers may also order additional tests such as a mammogram for certain age groups, or patients with abnormal findings or certain risk factors.