pic

Start the New Year Right: 5 Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Gynecology Visit

Your annual gynecology visit is a vital part of proactive health management, covering key aspects of women’s wellness in one comprehensive check-up. If you’re looking forward to a healthy year ahead, here are five reasons to schedule your exam ASAP. 

The fresh start of a new year offers a personal reset: In many ways, it feels like an ideal time to take stock of your goals, reflect on areas of growth and change, leave behind bad habits, and establish healthier patterns. 

What better time to schedule your annual well-woman exam with our expert team at New Beginnings OB/GYN? In this month’s blog, Dr. Christina Parmar and Dr. Rania Ibrahim offer five reasons to get this comprehensive yearly health check on your calendar ASAP.  

1. Preventive screening guidance

The goal of preventive screenings is to identify serious health concerns that don’t cause symptoms early on — such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, or high blood pressure — in their most treatable stages. 

Vital health checks

Our team reviews your health history and checks your vital signs, including weight and blood pressure. Depending on your age and personal health risks, we may order blood work to measure your fasting blood lipid and blood sugar levels, which are vital for preventing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Cancer screenings

You’ll have a clinical breast exam to check for lumps and breast changes, and may receive a referral for a mammogram, depending on your age and/or personal breast cancer risk. If you’re due for a cervical cancer screening — which typically happens every 3-5 years — your pelvic exam will include a Pap smear and/or HPV test.  

2. Tailored family planning advice

Your reproductive needs change as you age, and your annual gynecological visit provides a dedicated space to discuss these transitions and receive expert guidance for your current stage, as well as your family planning or contraception desires.  

Preconception care

If you’re planning a pregnancy in 2026, our team can provide expert guidance on nutrition, vitamins, and lifestyle changes to support a healthy start for you and your future baby. 

Infertility concerns

If you tried to conceive without success in 2025, we’ll offer basic fertility support advice and may recommend scheduling a comprehensive infertility evaluation

Birth control choice

If you’re sexually active but looking to avoid pregnancy, we can help ensure your current contraception is still the best fit for your lifestyle — or explore other options if you’re not happy with your chosen birth control method.

3. Individualized gynecological care

Your annual well-woman visit is an opportune time to discuss any gynecological issues that concern you or affect your quality of life. 

Menstruation concerns 

Whether you have heavy or painful periods, bad menstrual cramps, PMS mood swings, or irregular cycles, we can get to the bottom of the problem and provide helpful solutions. 

Hormonal management

If perimenopause or menopause symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, or vaginal dryness are disrupting your life, we offer individualized guidance and treatment options — including hormone therapy and MonaLisa Touch® laser treatments — to help you get relief.  

Concerning symptoms

Ongoing pelvic pain or pressure, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bleeding after menopause are just a few examples of concerning gynecological symptoms we can discuss — and start investigating — during your yearly check-up. 

4. Complete sexual health support

Your annual well-woman exam is an ideal time to discuss any sexual health concerns you may have in a sensitive, confidential setting. Sexual wellness is an important part of your overall well-being, and we can provide guidance, evaluation, or treatment for:

If you are sexually active, you should also receive regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Recommended STD screenings (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV) depend on your age and other personal risk factors. 

5. Lifestyle and well-being check

Your general health, mental well-being, and daily habits are deeply connected to your overall wellness. That’s why your annual exam includes a holistic wellness check that provides guidance on recommended immunizations, screens for anxiety and depression, and offers individualized support for lifestyle improvement (i.e., diet, exercise, stress management). 

Ready to get off to a healthy start in the new year? We’re here to help. Schedule a visit at New Beginnings OB/GYN in Shenandoah, Texas, today.