Women's Health Specialist
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EC Primary Care Physicians
Board Certified Primary Care Practitioners & Board Certified Pediatrician located in Columbia, MD
Nadeem Hashmi, MD, and the team at EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, in Columbia, Maryland, make it easier and more convenient than ever for you to stay on top of your health with annual well-woman exams and preventive health screenings. To schedule your next women's health exam, call the office or book online today.
Women's Health Q & A
What’s an annual well-woman exam?
As the centerpiece of preventive women’s health care and gynecological medicine, the annual well-woman exam covers many important aspects of your well-being, including:
General health
In addition to performing a routine blood pressure check and calculating your body mass index (BMI) score, your doctor at EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, may recommend testing your blood glucose and blood lipid (cholesterol, triglycerides) levels.
Recommended screenings
Your well-woman exam is an ideal time for routine breast and cervical cancer screenings. Depending on your age and health history, your provider may also advise you to have a colon cancer screening or an osteoporosis screening.
Immunizations
Whether you’d like to be vaccinated against HPV or you’d like to get your annual flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine, you can do it at your annual well-woman exam.
Menstrual problems
Your annual exam is the perfect time to discuss any menstrual cycle issues you may be having, including pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, or irregular spotting.
STD testing
If you’re sexually active, regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) should be an important part of your preventive care routine. EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, offers quick and easy STD screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and other infections that are spread through sexual contact.
Weight loss
If you’re worried about your weight, your doctor at EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, can give you simple and practical tips to help you improve your diet and incorporate more physical activity into your day.
How often do I need a cervical cancer screening?
The Pap test is an invaluable tool in early cervical cancer prevention. As part of a routine pelvic exam, a Pap smear is used to detect abnormal cells in your cervix — the part of your uterus that opens into your vagina.
Pap tests are generally recommended every three years for women between the ages of 21 and 65. If you’re past the age of 30, your physician may advise you to continue having a Pap test every three years or switch to a combined Pap/HPV test every five years.
When should I start having mammograms?
For women who don’t have an increased risk of breast cancer due to family history or other risk factors, annual mammograms should begin at the age of 40. A mammogram is a special type of X-ray that can detect most forms of breast cancer, including early-stage breast cancer that’s still asymptomatic.
To schedule your next well-woman exam, call EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, or book an appointment online today.
