You'll also want to inform her of any medications you are taking and any problems that you feel you may be experiencing because of them. You may also want to prepare a list of current health complaints complete with symptoms and dates if possible. After that and, of course, a pelvic exam and pap smear, there is a whole list of options that can be performed, some more important than others. The need for many of these tests depends on age, prior medical history and risk factors. So not all women should expect to have all these tests performed at every checkup.
Pap smears are also standard issue.
Most of the experts recommend an annual Pap smear. Regular Pap smears are especially important for sexually active women outside of a monogamous relationship, because many physicians feel that the human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted disease, is a major cause of cervical cancer. If your sexual activity is not directed toward only one person, Dr. Kamerow suggests that you get routine screenings for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, as well. When it comes to the more exotic blood and urine tests, electrocardiograms and x-rays, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not routinely recommend them for the healthy patient. As we reach menopause, one test might be added to our routine checkup.