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Women should visit their gynecologist once a year, unless further visits are necessary. The first visit should occur when a woman becomes sexually active, or at 21 years old if no sexual activity has occurred. Annual exams with Pap smears every three years are recommended for sexually active women, with exceptions for those over 30 with normal Pap smears. Gynecological visits are important for screening for cancer and other health concerns, and women should visit their ob-gyn if they have any questions or concerns. During pregnancy, frequent visits may be necessary, and preconception visits are recommended for women planning to become pregnant. Women should continue to have yearly gyno exams until age 70.
Many young women wonder when they should first see an ob-gyn, and women of all ages are often not sure how often to visit a sexual or reproductive health professional. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the woman’s age, health profile, and level of sexual activity. In general, a woman should visit her gynecologist once a year, unless circumstances make further visits necessary.
The first visit
Most family planning advocacy groups recommend a woman make her first appointment when she becomes sexually active. The age at which this occurs varies in countries around the world, but generally falls between 15 and 21 years old. Young women who intend to become sexually active should first visit a gynecologist or their GP or nurse practitioner to discuss birth control options and safe practices. Most health professionals suggest that healthy, sexually active women who are not pregnant get yearly checkups.
If a woman has not engaged in any sexual behavior, including oral sex or any type of intercourse, it is suggested that she first see a gynecologist when she is 21 years old. Whether or not sexual activity has occurred, the first visit will typically include a pelvic exam and confidential medical history. Medical professionals usually recommend that a woman have a Pap smear for cervical abnormalities within three years of initiating sexual activity, but this test is not always done during the first visit to an ob-gyn.
Reproductive years
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOB) and other sexual health organizations generally suggest that women have annual exams, with Pap smears every three years. One exception is that the ACOB recommends that a woman over the age of 30 who has had at least three normal Pap smears only have an ob-gyn checkup every two to three years, unless she has a Pap smear with abnormal. On the other hand, a woman who has more than one sexual partner, or whose partner is active with others, may require the typical annual visit.
Many women think of gynecological visits only for sexual and reproductive health, but this exam is important for other reasons as well. In addition to a pelvic exam, the annual visit typically includes a breast exam and thyroid check, as a means of screening for lumps that could be cancerous. These checkups are just as important as the pelvic exam for women of all ages.
In addition to the yearly scheduled visit, health professionals recommend that a woman visit her ob-gyn if she has questions or concerns at any other time. For example, if you have problems or concerns with birth control, menstruation, unexplained pelvic or breast pain, or notice a lump in your breast, you should make an appointment as soon as possible. This is true even if you recently took the annual exam.
Pregnancy
If a woman becomes pregnant, she may need to see her obstetrician or obstetrician on a much more frequent basis. As the pregnancy progresses, visits may become more frequent, perhaps even biweekly or weekly. This is often a matter of personal preference; not everyone will feel the need for frequent visits, but sometimes it is medically necessary. For example, if the woman or her fetus needs monitoring for health reasons, frequent appointments may be needed in early pregnancy.
Some medical professionals recommend a preconception visit for a woman planning to become pregnant, particularly if there are congenital disorders, such as spina bifida, in the family. The first few weeks are a crucial time for fetal development, so preparing yourself physically can be a good step towards a healthy pregnancy. Additionally, a gynecological visit is a typical first step for a woman who is having trouble conceiving.
During and after menopause
A common misconception among women is that the need for gynecological visits decreases during or after menopause, but the opposite is actually true. The risk of some diseases, including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, increases with age and becomes even higher after menopause for women. The ACOB advises sexually active women to continue having yearly gyno exams until age 70.
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