A gynaecologist is a doctor who specializes in treating women and is an expert on female reproductive organs. An annual gynaecology screening includes an overall health examination of the female reproductive organs. Since it is an annual exam you need to visit your gynaecologist once a year to make sure that your reproductive health and overall health is on track. The annual gynaecologist screening involves a breast exam, pelvic exam and a pap smear test. It also includes collecting information like your vital health information, age, height and weight.
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When you go in for your annual screening, your gynecologist will ask you a couple of questions to get a better understanding of your reproductive and overall health:
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The Ob-Gyn pap smear is an important part of the annual gynaecologist screening. It helps the doctor examine your cervix cells and check for malignancy or any pre-cancer symptoms. The smear also helps check whether your reproductive organs are healthy. The pap smear includes examining your vaginal discharge as well. Even if you are in the pink of health, you need to see your gynaecologist once a year to keep an eye on your reproductive and sexual health.
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The annual gyn exam recommendations include screening for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HIV testing, Hepatitis C, mammography, bone density testing, diabetes testing and lipid profile assessment. You can also talk to your gynaecologist about any concerns you have been having like missed periods, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, vulvar changes, menopausal symptoms, problems passing urine or moving bowels, or any breast concerns.
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The common screening test for gynaecology includes the PAP smear test and HPV testing, which are the preliminary tests to identify cervical cancer at an early stage. Apart from these, the other annual gynaecology screenings are breast examination, pelvic examination and tests for sexually transmitted infections.
"A gynaecological examination includes examining your reproductive system and addressing your concerns about reproductive health. The tests usually done during a gynaecological exam are a general physical examination, breast and pelvic examination, STI testing and cervical cancer screening tests, namely HPV and PAP. "
The guidelines of health organisations are the following. Cervical cancer screening is done for females between the ages of 21- 29, which includes the PAP test every 3 years and the HPV test every 5 years. Women in the age group of 30 - 65 must undergo the PAP test and co-testing HPV and PAP test together every 5 years. For women above 65 years of age, gynaecological screening is not necessary if the results of previous screenings were negative within the past 10 years.
"A gynaecology test is a comprehensive assessment and diagnostic test performed by a gynaecologist that primarily aims to maintain and monitor a woman's reproductive health. Common gynaecology tests are PAP smear, HPV, breast and pelvic examination and STI testing. "
