The answer to this question can vary. If you are experiencing symptoms or become sexually active, you should seek gynecological care at any age. Otherwise, you should consider your first pelvic exam around age 21.

A pelvic exam and a pap smear are both vital components for a woman’s health. A pelvic exam is a physical assessment done to assess the health of your vagina and pelvic organs, while a pap is a specific test obtained by swabbing the cervix. The test looks for abnormal cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

Providers follow specific screening guidelines that vary by age and previous pap results. Generally, a pap is completed every 3 years from age 21-30 and every 5 years from age 30 to 65. 

There isn’t one method of birth control that is right for everyone. Each type of birth control has pros and cons. There are many factors to consider when choosing birth control. Our providers can discuss options and help you chose the best option for you.

A mammogram is a common screening procedure that looks for cancerous cells or tumors in the breasts. These tests can identify cancerous cells up to two years before they will be noticeable in self-examinations. Mammograms generally start at age 40 but can be completed sooner in certain scenarios (strong family history of breast cancer, lump or mass found during a breast exam, etc).