Preventative Healthcare for Women of All Ages

Good health begins with regular exams, recommended screenings, and smart lifestyle choices. At Kernodle OBGYN, our specialty is promoting women’s health and providing options to enhance your health from adolescence and beyond.

Annual Exams

Your annual women’s wellness exam is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. These appointments can help prevent illness before it occurs to offer early detection which can impact the effectiveness of treatment.

Routine exams and screenings are typically once per year, depending on your age, health history and lifestyle. Each visit includes a full medical history, physical exam (general, breast and pelvic), and discussion with your provider of health maintenance strategies.

Additional Preventative Screenings

You and your physician can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. The following recommendations and guidelines are from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force:

Blood Pressure

If you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80), it is recommended that you get tested at least every 2 years.
You should get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89.
If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you should discuss treatment with your doctor or nurse.

Bone Mineral Density

Discuss with your healthcare provider if you are at risk of osteoporosis. Women age 65 and older should get this test at least once and talk to your doctor about repeat testing.

Breast Cancer Screening

For women at average risk of breast cancer, the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecologists recommends mammograms beginning at age 40 and each year thereafter until at least age 75.
Women at high risk of breast cancer should talk to their provider about what age to begin screenings and how often. Having one or more of the following risk factors is considered high risk: family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or other types of inherited cancer; BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations; chest radiation treatments at a young age; and a history of high-risk breast biopsy results.
Women of all ages are encouraged to do monthly self-breast exams.

Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear)

Ages 18-39: Get a Pap test every 3 years if you are 21 or older and have a cervix.
If you are 30 or older, you can get a Pap test and HPV test together every 5 years.
Ages 40-64: Get a Pap test and HPV test together every 5 years if you have a cervix.
Ages 65+: Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to get a Pap test

Chlamydia Test

If you are sexually active or pregnant, the chlamydia test is recommended every year through age 24.
Age 25 and older, get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.

Cholesterol Test

If you are at increased risk for heart disease, get a cholesterol test regularly starting at age 20.
Ask your healthcare provider how often you need your cholesterol tested.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 and through age 75.
Your provider can recommend which screening test is best for you and how often you need it.

Diabetes

If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medication for high blood pressure, you should get screened for diabetes.
If you are pregnant, you should get screened for gestational diabetes.

Sexually Transmitted Disease and Infection Screenings

Chlamydia test: If you are sexually active or pregnant, the chlamydia test is recommended year through age 24. Age 25 and older should get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.
Gonorrhea test: Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.
HIV test: Everyone should get tested for HIV at least once. All pregnant women also need to be tested for HIV. Discuss your risk with your doctor to determine if more frequent tests may be needed.
HPV:
- Age 21 younger – do not start testing, regardless of behavior, risk factors and age at first sex
- Age 21-29, cytology screen every 3 years and do not conduct HPV testing
- Age 30 – 65, co-test every 5 years with both cytology and HPV testing
- Age 65+, future screening recommendations depend on past screening results
- Post hysterectomy: if the cervix is removed and there is no history of CIN2 or higher, no more screening is needed. For those with high-grade lesions before hysterectomy, keep screening with cytology every 3 years for the next 20 years.
- Keep in mind, these are routine guidelines and don’t apply to women who are immunocompromised, HIV positive, were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, or with a history of cervical cancer.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): You should get tested for HSV if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.
Syphilis test: Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk or pregnant.
Trichomonas: If you are sexually active and at increased risk, you should get tested for trichomonas whether you are pregnant or not pregnant.

Contact Kernodle OB/GYN

To schedule your annual exam or a preventative screening test, call Kernodle OB/GYN at (336) 538-2367. Our team of providers is dedicated to providing patients in the Burlington / Alamance County area with exceptional throughout all stages of life.