Well Woman Exam

A well woman exam is a basic health screening that covers various aspects of women's health. It includes a physical check-up (of things like blood pressure and weight, fitness and nutrition) as well as screenings for reproductive health. The doctor or nurse conducts a breast exam, to check for breast cancer or other breast health issues, and pelvic exam, to make sure the vulva is healthy. As part of the pelvic exam the doctor or nurse inserts a tool called a speculum into the vagina, in order to see all of the vagina and the cervix (the lower part of the uterus). It doesn't hurt, though it may feel a little uncomfortable. The health care provider also conducts a pap smear, by collecting cells off of the cervix, to check for HPV, an STI that can lead to cervical cancer. She may conduct other STI tests as well, even if there are no symptoms, as part of a routine. It is good to have a well woman exam on a regular basis (every year, at best, or every few years) starting at least at age 21, or soon after becoming sexually active (the earlier the better!).

Well Male Exam

A well male exam is a basic health screening that covers various aspects of men's health--both general physical health (such as blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels, nutrition, and fitness) and reproductive health, including a testicular exam and sometimes STD tests as well. It is good to have a well male exam on a regular basis (every year, at best, or every few years) starting at least at age 21, or soon after becoming sexually active (the earlier the better!).

Breast Exam

Usually conducted as part of a general well woman exam, a breast exam checks for breast health and abnormal issues that may cause problems, including lumps, dimpling, nipple inversion, redness, soreness, or swelling. The health provider checks each breast with her fingers while the patient is sitting, and then when the patient is lying down. It is also important to conduct monthly breast self-exams, which are performed in the same way.

Testicular Exam

A testicular exam is usually conducted as part of a general well male exam. The health provider will touch the genitals to check for lumps, pain, or other abnormalities that may be signs of testicular cancer or other issues. A monthly self-exam is also important, in order to catch any problems early on.

Safer Sex

When you practice safe sex, you are following common sense precautions that reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs. Most basic is using a condom for all sexual intercourse (oral, anal, and vaginal) or a dental dam (which can be made from a condom) when performing oral sex on a woman. Using a condom puts a barrier between bodily fluids, so that diseases (or sperm) can't transmit from one person to another. Condoms cannot protect against ALL sexually transmitted diseases, however! That's why it's important for sexually active people to get regular STD tests, and to get proper treatment when needed. It's also a good idea for women who are sexually active to get some form of birth control (such as the pill or the ring) to further reduce the risk of pregnancy. If a woman DOES have unprotected sex, she can also look into emergency birth control (but it doesn't work as well if used a lot). Another very important safe sex practice is talking to your partner! Have they been checked for STDs recently? Have you? Communication is an important part of safe sex, from talking about what is comfortable for your partner and how far to go to talking about putting on a condom and taking birth control. It may feel embarrassing, but it's important to take care of yourself and make sure that both you and your partner remain healthy and safe.

Yeast Infections

Most females have naturally occurring yeast in their vagina. However, when the yeast begins to grow more than usual, it can cause an irritation in the vagina. Yeast infections can occur both in males and females, and can be passed to a partner during sexual intercourse. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medications. They can be cause by many things, including some antibiotics, changes in hormone levels, and pregnancy.