A Woman’s Guide To Preparing for Their Next Annual Exam

It’s hard to get excited about going to the doctor, especially when you’re not sick and in need of specific treatment. You might even have heard that the value of a physical exam isn’t proven. While it’s true that getting checkups won’t guarantee a longer life, most providers still recommend coming to see them about once a year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages regular wellness screenings, too.

An annual checkup gives you the chance to build rapport with your provider (handy when health problems crop up in the future), stay up-to-date on screening tests and vaccines, and generally make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy. Also key: It helps your provider determine what’s normal for you, essentially giving them baseline information that can be used to track your health through the years. If your blood pressure has always run low, for instance, a “normal” reading might actually be a red flag.

When you should schedule your physical exam is really up to you, but it might be easier to remember if you schedule it for the same month each year. If possible, try to snag an AM slot: Research suggests that people who see their provider in the morning tend to get the best care.

What to do before your appointment

You’ve set the date. Now what? In theory, all you have to do is mark your calendar and remember to show up. But taking some time to prep can help ensure that you get the most out of the experience. Some smart steps:

1. Think about your most pressing health concerns.

Even if you’re in pretty good shape overall, almost everyone has some health issue that deserves a little more attention. Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Have you been plagued by insomnia? Are you having trouble losing weight despite changing your diet and exercise habits?

Whatever’s on your mind, your physical is a good time to bring it up, so jot down any specific questions or topics you want to be sure to raise. If you’re not sure what to ask a doctor at a physical that’s OK; chances are your doctor will have plenty of questions for you, too!

1. Make a list of all your medications and supplements.

Remember to include prescription drugs, over-the-counter ones, and herbal/dietary supplements. Write down the name and dose, or just bring the bottles with you. Your doctor should review everything, check for interactions, and weigh in on whether you ought to alter your regimen.

1. Recap your personal and family health history.

What’s happened to your health—and the health of your first-degree family members (parents, siblings, and children)—since you last saw your provider? If there have been any major changes or your provider will want to know.

1. Ask if you’ll need to fast.

Blood work to test your blood sugar, cholesterol, and see how your thyroid, kidneys, and liver are functioning tends to be part of most standard checkups.  Call the office ahead of time to find out whether you need to fast for a certain number of hours before coming in.

Annual exam checklist

If it’s been a while since your last checkup, you might not know what to expect. While the exact run-down will vary by provider (and based on your personal health status/concerns), your doctor will likely:

• Use a small lighted instrument to examine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• Use a stethoscope to listen to your heart, lungs, and stomach
• Gently touch various body parts to check organ size and look for lumps and abnormalities
• Check your reflexes with a small rubber hammer
• Tap on your stomach
• Administer a vaccine if you’re due for one
• Order blood work and urine analysis
• Order imaging tests (such as a mammogram, colonoscopy, or bone density test) based on your age and health status

Important note: If your gynecologist is your primary care provider (meaning you don’t also see an internist), make sure that they know it so they can cover all aspects of your health or direct you to another practice if they’re not comfortable providing generalized care. The reverse is also true: Some primary care providers will do breast exams, pap smears, and STD screening—as long as they realize that another provider isn’t taking care of those things for you.