Getting your annual gynecologic exam is essential for your overall health. Gynecologists usually do yearly exams, but your primary care doctor can also do them.
An annual gynecologic exam helps safeguard your sexual health and can also help prevent cancer.
If you're sexually active and you haven't had an annual gynecologic exam yet, you should schedule one. Even if you're not sexually active, it's a good idea to start having gynecologic exams yearly after you turn 21.
With more than 450 gynecologic exam providers across our network, UPMC is here for you.
An annual gynecologic exam is a physical exam where the provider (usually a gynecologist) also looks at the health of your reproductive system.
This includes your:
Your provider will do a pelvic exam to physically examine your organs to make sure everything is working as it should. Pelvic exams make many people uncomfortable, but they're the only way to inspect and examine these organs. They're also the best way to screen for certain types of cancer and other reproductive organ problems.
Your gynecologist may also order a urine test, blood work, or other tests at your annual gynecologic exam.
Your gynecologist is an expert in the female reproductive system. Your yearly checkup with them helps you maintain good vaginal and reproductive health. This exam can also help catch any problems, like cervical cancer, early.
During a yearly exam, a gynecologist can:
Gynecologic exams are safe. In fact, having one may help to prevent cancer and other conditions that could affect your health. However, you may experience some side effects, including:
If you experience severe cramping or bleeding, or if you are still cramping or bleeding after a day or two, you should contact your doctor.
During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check your uterus, ovaries, and other organs. They may also perform cervical cancer screenings. To ensure that these cancer screening tests are as accurate as possible:
Your exam and cancer screening will typically take about 15 minutes.
Gynecologists do annual gynecologic exams in different ways. They may have you put on a gown or paper sheet first and then talk with you. Or they may sit and talk with you first and then leave while you change.
If it's your first time seeing the doctor, they'll take a medical and family history. They'll ask you questions about:
It's important to be honest when you answer the questions.
If you've experienced a sexual assault or trauma in the past, you might feel very uncomfortable talking about these issues. The idea of getting a pelvic exam may also be traumatizing. If this is the case, tell your gynecologist — they'll do everything they can to ensure you feel safe.
After they take your history, you can ask questions or bring up concerns, such as about birth control, sexually transmitted infections, or changes to your period. If you're experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, like heavy bleeding during your period or spotting between cycles, be sure to let your doctor know.
A nurse may be in the room with the doctor the whole time or step in only for the pelvic exam. (You can always ask for a nurse to be in the room if they aren't present.)
There are four parts to most annual gynecologic visits.
This part of the exam will be most familiar. A nurse will likely get your height and weight and take your blood pressure and pulse before you meet with the doctor. The doctor will then listen to your heart and lungs and check your reflexes.
If they're doing a complete physical exam, they may look in your ears, mouth, and nose. They'll feel your head, neck, belly, arms, and legs, checking for anything that doesn't feel right. They'll also test your reflexes.
Next, your gynecologist will ask you to lie back on the examining table. They'll check each breast, feeling for any lumps or signs of breast cancer. They'll try to leave you covered so only the part of your body they're examining is visible.
Your gynecologist will ask you to slide your feet into stirrups. First, they'll inspect your external genitals, looking for any signs of disease or infection.
To examine the vagina and cervix, the gynecologist will insert a speculum into your vagina. This holds the walls of your vagina open while they examine your cervix. If you need a Pap or HPV test, your provider will do it at this time.
Your gynecologist will then remove the speculum so they can check your internal organs.
To do this, they'll slide one or two gloved fingers into your vagina, pushing toward your cervix. With their other hand, they'll push on your belly. This helps them feel your uterus, ovaries, and cervix. It may also allow them to detect if you've developed fibroids.
This may be slightly uncomfortable, but it shouldn't hurt.
Your pelvic exam may also include cancer screenings. To do this, your provider will insert a small brush or long cotton swab while the speculum is still in place and scrape some cells from your cervix. Your provider will send the sample to a lab to check for signs of cervical cancer.
There are two types of cancer screenings: an HPV test and a Pap test.
An HPV test checks for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection in the cells of the cervix. In most people, HPV goes away on its own, but certain strains can remain in your system and lead to cervical cancer. The HPV test shows if you have one of the strains that may lead to cancer.
Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have an HPV test every five years. Your provider may test more often if you receive abnormal results.
A Pap test, or Pap smear, looks for signs of cancer or precancer in the cervix. Precancers are changes in the cells of the cervix caused by HPV. These changes can lead to cervical cancer.
When found early, cervical cancer treatment is typically successful.
Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every three years. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have a Pap test every three years or a combined Pap test and HPV test every five years. Your provider may test more often if you receive abnormal results.
You may experience some minor discomfort, cramping, or bleeding after your exam. This is normal. However, if you experience severe cramping or bleeding, or if you are still cramping or bleeding after a day or two, you should contact your doctor.
If you had a cancer screening, you should expect your results in a week or two. If the results are abnormal, your provider will schedule a follow-up appointment.
You should call your provider if:
An annual gynecologic exam isn't the same as a yearly physical, but it can include one. During both exams, you'll give a medical history and have a chance to talk with your provider about any issues you're having.
The provider will check your heart and lungs, reflexes, and head, neck, and belly, just as they would during a physical exam. However, an annual gynecologic exam also examines the health of your reproductive organs. This means your gynecologist will do a breast exam, a pelvic exam, and possibly a Pap smear.
Annual physicals may include a breast exam, but they don't include a pelvic exam.
A Pap smear is a specific type of cancer screening that often happens during an annual gynecologic or pelvic exam. But it's only one part of the exam.
Your provider will advise you on how often you need a Pap smear. Even if you don't need one, you should still have an annual gynecologic exam.
Your annual gynecologic exam doesn't include a mammogram, but you will have a clinical breast exam. Your gynecologist will check your breasts for lumps or other signs of cancer.
At your annual gynecologic exam, the doctor may suggest that you get a mammogram.
They might recommend a mammogram if:
Yes, you can. Providers see people during their periods all the time.
Generally, the best time to visit your gynecologist is five or more days after your period. But planning your visit around your menstrual cycle isn’t always possible, especially if you need to schedule months in advance or have an irregular period.
If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, you may want to call your doctor’s office in advance and ask. You can say, “I have my period, so I want to make sure it’s still OK to come in.”
Most of the time, you’ll keep your appointment. It may even be helpful to see your provider during your period if you’re experiencing cramps or heavy flow.
Also:
However, if you need a cancer screening, your provider may reschedule. Heavy bleeding and tampon use can affect the results of a test.
UPMC offers a range of gynecological care, including:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-09-01.
