Women: Why you need primary care and a gynecologist

Ladies, even if you see your gynecologist each year, are you also making time to visit a primary care physician? Annual physicals are important at every stage of life—not just in youth or older age.

Catherine Dekle, M.D., an internal medicine physician, and Nancy Cook, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist, recommend annual physical and well-woman exams. Each provides a valuable, complementary perspective on women’s health. Having both a primary care physician and a gynecologist gives women trusted support and answers. It also ensures care from providers who understand their full medical history.

Why women need an annual physical exam

Women face typical and unique heart risks, including pregnancy issues and menopause. “Women also more commonly experience certain autoimmune diseases (like lupus) and mental health conditions (like depression) that are linked to an increased risk of heart disease”, Dr. Varghese explains.

“Lifestyle issues are addressed during yearly physicals,” she says. “I spend a lot of time with my patients. We talk about specific programs that have been shown to work for weight loss and smoking cessation options.”

Physical exams vary depending on a doctor’s personal style, but often include:

• Vital signs assessment (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, respiration rate)

• Overall appearance review

• Family history

• Heart exam

• Lung exam

• Neurological exam

• Dermatological exam

• Head and neck exam

• Extremities exam

• Breast exam (for women)

Primary care providers may order blood tests to check for anemia, diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney or liver disease. At age-appropriate levels, they order screening tests like colonoscopies and mammograms.

They manage common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and high cholesterol. They also coordinate care across specialists.

“Not only do we look at the whole you, our job is also to coordinate your care among all the specialists you need to see,” Dr. Dekle says.

Primary care doctors often refer patients to specialists and receive updates on treatment. They also follow up to coordinate ongoing care.

“I see my role as a partner, and the better informed the patient is about his or her health status, the more motivated they are to make lifestyle changes,” Dr. Dekle says.

Why women need a yearly gynecologic exam

While full-body exams are important, Dr. Dekle encourages patients to take advantage of the knowledge of specialists like OB/GYNs. Gynecologists can address health concerns such as:

• Fertility issues

• Birth control

• Cancer prevention

• Sexually transmitted infections

“They have extra training in pelvic exams, Pap smears, menstrual regularity and birth control,” she says. “I think it is important to have that relationship and make use of their expertise.”

Dr. Cook says she and her colleagues address key health issues and care for women through every stage of life.

“A woman should see her OB/GYN for several reasons, depending on what age group she is in,” says Dr. Cook. “She may need a clinical breast exam, a pelvic exam to make sure her uterus and ovaries are okay, a Pap smear, and sexually transmitted disease screenings. If she needs contraception, we can discuss her options. If she wants to become pregnant, this is a good time to talk about genetic testing and prenatal vitamins. If a patient is worried about cancer – for example, if her mother had breast cancer – we will decide when she should begin screenings.”

How to prepare for both exams

The most important thing to know before you see your doctor is:

• Your past medical and surgical history

• The immunizations you have had and when you had them

• When you had your last mammogram and colonoscopy, if age-appropriate

“If you had an abnormality, for instance on a mammogram or X-ray, bringing in records of that is very useful,” Dr. Dekle says. “I encourage patients to ask their physicians for copies of their lab work or copies of any major imaging tests.”

Write down your questions in advance so you don’t forget them during your appointment. Your primary physician and OB/GYN are there to answer your questions and ensure your optimal health. 

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