Preventive Care
Preventive care that embraces every stage.
Our patients range from early teens through senior years. And at every stage, we augment traditional care with important quality-of-life conversations that evaluate your health holistically.
Our focus on patients includes:
- The inclusion of wellness considerations that improve your current stage of life as well as anticipate the years ahead
- A balanced approach that recognizes when a general practitioner or other doctor might be a necessary addition to your care
- Consistency of care that allows year-upon-year relationships with your OBGYN, thanks to the partner-owned aspect of our practice
Many patients only see their gynecologist for primary care, and we take this role very seriously. Whether it’s preventative screening, sexual health, family planning, or menopausal care, we are with you every step of the way to ensure that you have what you need to make an informed decision regarding your healthcare.
– Robin Ou-Yang, MD
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Recommended Resources
We’re always here to answer your questions. We also have pulled together our favorite resources for patients, filled with helpful information and insight.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Common Questions
As a partner in your health, we recommend that you be seen annually at OBGYN Specialists. In order to provide you with comprehensive preventive care, it is important that we review any changes in your medical history, family history and mental health history each year, as well as perform routine annual screening tests such as pap smears, mammograms, cholesterol screening and colonoscopy. Annual exams are a necessary part of your health care, and we will gladly refill appropriate medications at these appointments.
Annual gynecologic exams are recommended and necessary even though Pap smears are not always needed on an annual basis. This is a general physical examination that Includes breast and pelvic exams. It can include birth control or family planning advice, screening for sexually transmitted infections (as needed), navigating midlife and menopause. This visit changes with the patients phase of life and needs.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common viral infection that can affect the genital tract in women and men. In women, when HPV infects the cells of the cervix it can lead to cervical cancer. When you have a physical exam, the Pap smear collects cells from the cervix to screen for any abnormal changes. Additionally, in women over 30, we automatically screen for many cancer causing types of HPV to ensure that we don’t miss women at risk for cervical cancer who may still have normal appearing cells.
If you test positive for HPV, your physician will recommend additional screening and/or treatment to keep the infection from progressing. With regular pelvic exams and Pap smears, HPV is unlikely to cause significant problems.
