Well Woman Exams
- One visit a year for a lifetime of health.
Whether it’s been one year or several since your last checkup, whether you feel perfectly healthy or have questions you’ve been putting off, please know this: there’s no judgment here, only care that meets you where you are.
Your annual well woman exam is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. At Women’s Health Group, Dr. Awad and our care team have provided preventive care for Chicago women for more than 30 years. Each visit is a chance to catch concerns early, stay current on screenings, and talk openly about everything from your periods and sexual health to your mood, sleep, and goals for the future.
- 30+ years caring for women
- Preventive care at every life stage
- Board-certified OB-GYN care
- Compassionate Caregivers
- One visit a year for a lifetime of health.
Whether it’s been one year or several since your last checkup, whether you feel perfectly healthy or have questions you’ve been putting off, please know this: there’s no judgment here, only care that meets you where you are.
Your annual well woman exam is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. At Women’s Health Group, Dr. Awad and our care team have provided preventive care for Chicago women for more than 30 years. Each visit is a chance to catch concerns early, stay current on screenings, and talk openly about everything from your periods and sexual health to your mood, sleep, and goals for the future.
- 30+ years caring for women
- Preventive care at every life stage
- Board-certified OB-GYN care
- Compassionate Caregivers
- 30+ years caring for women
- Preventive care at every life stage
- Board-certified OB-GYN care
- Compassionate Caregivers
Our Services
What Is a Well Woman Exam?
Medically reviewed by Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
A well woman exam is a yearly preventive visit focused on your overall and reproductive health. It includes a review of your health history, a physical exam, recommended screenings, and time to discuss any concerns, from birth control and menstrual changes to menopause, mental health, and healthy habits.
Not every screening happens every year. A pelvic exam, Pap smear, or mammogram is recommended based on your age, history, and symptoms. Your well woman visit is where we decide together which screenings you need, so nothing is missed and nothing is done without a reason.
Prevention is often covered. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans cover an annual well woman visit at no cost to you. Our team can help verify your benefits before your appointment.
Symptoms That Shouldn't Wait for Your Annual Exam
Your yearly exam is for prevention, but some symptoms deserve attention right away. Please call us to schedule a visit if you notice:
- A new lump, thickening, or change in your breast, or nipple discharge
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Any bleeding after menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)
- Periods that become much heavier, longer, or more painful (abnormal uterine bleeding)
- Pelvic pain or pressure that doesn’t go away
- Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
- Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
- Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, or changes in bladder habits
These symptoms are often caused by treatable conditions, but they should always be checked. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and reach out at 773-992-1555. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Complete Care for Every Stage of a Womans Life
Strategies for Comprehensive Care
Preventive Screenings
We keep you current on Pap smears, HPV testing, breast exams, mammogram referrals, and bone density screening, timed to your age and history.
Whole-Person Health
We check your blood pressure and weight and talk about nutrition, exercise, sleep, and heart health, because reproductive health is connected to your overall health.
Vaccines and Prevention
We offer recommended vaccines, including the HPV vaccine, and provide STD testing and birth control counseling when you need them.
Emotional Well-being & Support
We check in on your mood, stress, and relationships at every visit and connect you with counseling and support whenever you need it.
Well Woman Care at any age
Your health needs change throughout your life, and your well woman visit changes with them. In your teens and twenties, visits often focus on periods, birth control, the HPV vaccine, and STD screening. In your thirties and forties, we add HPV co-testing, fertility and pregnancy planning, and mammograms starting at age 40.
As you approach menopause, we help you manage hot flashes, sleep changes, and vaginal dryness, including options like hormone replacement therapy. After 65, we add bone density screening and focus on staying strong and healthy. If you’re planning a pregnancy, our [preconception counseling] can help you prepare.
Your Well Woman Journey
Health Review
We review your medical and family history, medications, periods, and any concerns, and update your vaccines and screenings.
Physical Exam
Your exam includes your blood pressure and weight, a breast exam, and a pelvic exam or Pap smear when it's recommended for you.
Personalized Plan
We share results, answer your questions, and create a plan for any follow-up, so you leave knowing exactly what comes next.
Every woman’s needs are different, and your care should be too. We explain each test and recommendation so you can make informed choices with confidence
Pap smears and HPV testing
Women 21 to 29 need a Pap smear every 3 years. Women 30 to 65 can have HPV testing every 5 years, a Pap and HPV co-test every 5 years, or a Pap smear every 3 years.
Breast health
Clinical breast exams and referrals for mammograms, which are recommended at least every 2 years starting at age 40.
Bone density screening
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for women 65 and older, and earlier for women with risk factors.
Labs and health screenings
Blood work to check cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, and other markers, based on your age and health.
Counseling and referrals
Guidance on birth control, fertility, menopause, and mental health, with referrals to specialists when needed.
Common Well Woman Exam Questions We Hear Most
Do I need a well woman exam if I feel healthy?
Yes. Many conditions, like high blood pressure, cervical changes, and early breast cancer, don’t cause symptoms at first. Regular visits help catch problems early, when they’re easiest to treat.
Will I need a Pap smear every year?
Not usually. Most women need a Pap smear every 3 years, or HPV testing every 5 years after age 30. You’ll still benefit from a yearly visit for other screenings and conversations about your health.
Can I have my exam during my period?
Yes, in most cases. A light period usually doesn’t affect your exam. If you’re due for a Pap smear and your flow is heavy, call us, and we can decide together whether to reschedule.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your insurance card, a list of medications and supplements, the date of your last period, and any questions you have. Writing down concerns ahead of time helps make sure nothing is forgotten.
Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
Dr. Mike Awad is a second-generation OB-GYN who values the long-term relationships he builds with patients and their families. He believes exceptional medicine means going beyond the diagnosis to explain options, answer questions, and individualize care. His philosophy is simple: meet every patient where she is, listen carefully, and make sure she feels understood and confident in her care.
He works alongside our physician assistants, Morgan Johannes, PA-C, Jennifer Sykstus, PA-C, and Georgiana Gomorczak, PA-C, so you have a team who knows your story at every visit. Meet the full care team.
Your comfort, privacy, and dignity come first
A well woman exam touches the most personal parts of life: your body, your cycle, your intimacy, and your plans for the future. You deserve care that feels safe and respectful. Here is our promise to you.
Your concerns are taken seriously
We never dismiss what you're feeling. Every symptom and question matters, and we take the time to understand it.
We explain first, then proceed together.
Before every exam, we walk you through what to expect and why, in plain language and at your pace. A chaperone is available, and you can pause at any time.
Intimate questions are welcome here.
Sexual health, bladder changes, and emotional strain are all part of your well woman visit. You can bring them up in whatever words feel comfortable.
Your information stays private.
Your conversations and records are protected, and follow-up messages go through our secure patient portal.
You Deserve Care That Keeps You Well
Well woman exams for women across Chicago’s Southwest Side, including Garfield Ridge, Clearing, Burbank, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, and Summit. New patients welcome. Most major insurance accepted.
