Well-Woman Care
RealOptions offers low to no-cost pap smears for those who qualify. An annual well-woman visit is a check-up that focuses on the female reproductive system and sexual health. Each stage of a woman’s life requires health management, disease detection, and prevention. The best preventive care measure is the annual well-woman exam. The early detection of reproductive health problems is vital to maintaining good health. Your visit will include:
- General and gynecological health history
- Breast exam
- Pap smear and pelvic exam (which screen for cervical cancer)
- Discussion of health topics relevant to your age and risk factors
- STD testing, if requested or recommended
- Scheduling your first pap smear at age 21+
Contact us for personalized and compassionate reproductive healthcare. Our experienced team of healthcare professionals is here to serve you. Please schedule your pap smear exam when you are not menstruating. 48 hours prior to your exam, please DO NOT douche, have sexual intercourse, or use any vaginal medications, creams, jellies, foams, suppositories, or tampons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some women experience mild discomfort during a pap smear, but it shouldn’t hurt. A speculum will be placed into your vagina to allow your medical provider to see more clearly. A small brush will gently collect cells from your cervix. The cells are sent to a lab to be tested.
If you are concerned about your financial ability to pay for a service that you require, you may be eligible for a state-funded financial aid program that would provide services for you at no cost.
You may be eligible for low to no-cost services if you:
- Are a California resident
- Have no other health coverage for the procedure you need
- Meet specific income/family size requirements
Well-woman care visits are considered preventative care. If you have health insurance, all of your preventive care should be covered at no cost to you.
If you think you might have an STD, another kind of infection (like a yeast infection), or any other issue with your reproductive health, let your healthcare provider know at the beginning of your appointment. They’ll talk with you and decide if they need to do any additional tests or exams.
Your healthcare provider will ask you about your medical history as well as your family history.
- How often do you have your period?
- When was your last period?
- How long do they last?
- Do you ever have abnormal periods?
- Do you ever have any discomfort, itching, or pain?
- Are you sexually active?
- Is sex ever painful?
- Do you use birth control?
- Do you think you might be pregnant?
