Annual Exam: Part 1

Although the annual exam focuses on gynecological care, it also provides an opportunity for our clinicians to assess other aspects of a woman's health. 

All patients who come to Gannett for an annual exam will be offered an HIV antibody test when they check in for their visit, rather than having to make a separate appointment for a different day. If this is of interest to you, you can have the test done the same day as your appointment. Blood tests are $25 and the oral swab (OraSure) is $45.

Once in the examination room, the clinician will review your health history and medical record and discuss your health with you.

This will include:

the opportunity to talk to you about student life issues including substance use, sleep, stress, etc.

To review your overall health, the clinician will look to see if there are any particular aspects of your health history that require some discussion. Your provider will also want to talk about student health issues such as tobacco use, sleep habits, stress and alcohol or other drug use. Your provider will need to know about any substance use as it relates to  prescriptions you have requested but your use is also relevant to assessing a patient's overall health status. You may want to check out our GyneCOLLEGE Reading Room prior to your appointment. You clinician may also reference items in this collection during your exam.

a diet and exercise discussion

Because women have particular nutritional needs, your clinician may discuss bone health, the importance of calcium and iron, etc. and make recommendations related to a woman's diet and nutritional intake.

a brief general physical exam

Your clinician will feel your neck (thyroid), listen to your heart, take your blood pressure and ask you questions about your general physical health.

a chance to check your skin's condition

Women often neglect changes on the surface of the skin, but mole changes, beauty marks that look different, skin dicoloration or rashes should be looked at by the clinician. Young women often assume they are immune from the more serious threats of melanoma or basel cell carcinoma, so your clinician can discreetly do an assessment to determine if anything looks problematic.

a breast exam

Your provider will feel your breasts for lumps or unusual soreness and, if you don't already know how, will teach you how to do a monthly self breast exam yourself.

an opportunity to answer your questions

Don't hesitate to communicate with your healthcare provider about any unanswered questions or concerns that you may have about your body. They are here to partner with you to assure your health remains intact and you have the resources you need.

After this overall health assessment, the clinican will perform the pelvic exam and take a pap smear (Part 2). Please read the section  "Pelvic Exam".