What to Reveal to Your Doctor at Your Well-Woman Exam 

An annual wellness visit is a crucial step for your long-term health. Though it may seem like just another appointment, this dedicated time allows you to focus fully on your reproductive and preventive care.

At Pflugerville OBGYN in Pflugerville, Texas, Dr. Rachel Shepherd, M.D. FACOG, and our team create personalized care plans during your wellness visits, ensuring you feel entirely comfortable sharing every detail of your health journey with us.

Why is your well-woman exam different?

Many women ask whether they need this visit if they've already had a general physical. While a primary care checkup covers overall health metrics such as cholesterol, a well-woman exam specifically focuses on reproductive health, menstrual changes, and screenings for gynecological cancers. 

Being transparent about your body allows us to identify potential issues early. Bringing a written list of questions about your mental health, birth control, and family history before your appointment enables us to customize your preventive care more effectively.

This lines up with the guidance from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP, 2024).

What key details should I always share?

You should never feel embarrassed to bring up changes in your body. To help us provide the best care, make sure to discuss your menstrual cycle, any new physical symptoms, and your family history.

1. Tell us about any changes in your period, pelvic pain, or unusual discharge. 
2. Share any updates to your family history of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancers. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, 2024), guidelines now recommend that all women at average risk receive a screening mammogram every other year starting at age 40, making family history discussions more vital than ever.
3. Be honest about your lifestyle, mood changes, and sexual health. Whether you need to discuss new contraception options or you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, we are here to support your whole-body wellness without judgment.

Why stay on top of preventive screenings?

Routine screenings form the foundation of women's health care. Some are conducted during your visit, while others are scheduled according to your age and risk factors.

Staying up to date on these screenings can save your life. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2025) shows that in 2023, approximately 80 percent of women aged 50 to 74 were up to date with breast cancer screening, though cervical screening rates declined. We want to make sure you have all the information you need to stay on track.

Your health is too important to put on the back burner. If you are due for your annual checkup, contact our office today to schedule your visit with Dr. Shepherd and our compassionate team.