Why Your Annual OB-GYN Exam Matters Every Year

Richard Lorenzo
Oct 13
3 min read

At Complete Healthcare in Richland, WA, we emphasize one of the most important habits for lifelong health: scheduling your annual OB-GYN exam—every single year. This visit is far more than a routine checkup. It’s a comprehensive, personalized health assessment that helps you stay ahead of potential problems and make empowered decisions about your well-being.

Whether you're a teenager, planning for pregnancy, navigating menopause, or simply staying proactive, your yearly well-woman visit is one of the most effective ways to take charge of your health.

Why Is an Annual OB-GYN Visit So Important?

Your body and your health can change significantly in a year. Regular exams allow us to:

Catch problems early, often before symptoms appear
Monitor changes over time
Update screenings and vaccinations
Provide age-appropriate counseling
Adjust care based on life stage and goals

Even if you’re feeling well, a yearly visit ensures that important screenings aren’t missed and that any subtle warning signs are caught early.

Dr. Richard Lorenzo, DO and Kortney Jones, ARNP are committed to offering expert, compassionate care that evolves with your needs—year after year.

What’s Included in Your Annual OB-GYN Visit?

1. Detailed Health History

We update your personal, family, and reproductive health history annually to assess risk factors and ensure nothing is missed. This includes:

Menstrual cycle details
Sexual health and STI risks
Family history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease
Medication review
Mental health and lifestyle screening

This updated history guides what we examine and test each year.

2. Vital Signs and Wellness Monitoring

Annual tracking helps spot trends and new health risks. We check:

Weight and height
BMI (body mass index)
Blood pressure
Heart rate

Even small changes from year to year can offer important insights.

3. Physical and Pelvic Exam (If Indicated)

These are performed when medically appropriate, based on your current symptoms and history. When done, we assess:

Vulva, vagina, cervix
Uterus and ovaries via bimanual exam
Rectal area if indicated

Pelvic exams are not required every year for everyone, but the decision is reviewed annually.

4. Breast Exam (When Appropriate)

We discuss and perform breast exams based on age and personal risk. If needed, we refer for mammography or ultrasound.

5. Cervical Cancer Screening

Pap smears and HPV testing may not be needed every year, but we assess your screening schedule during your annual visit and update you on:

When your next test is due
Whether co-testing is recommended
How your past results affect your current care

6. Preventive Screenings and Counseling

Each year, we may screen for:

STIs
Diabetes and cholesterol
Intimate partner violence
Depression or anxiety
Osteoporosis
Sexual dysfunction
Urinary incontinence

We also provide yearly counseling on:

Birth control
Pregnancy planning or fertility concerns
Menopause and hormone therapy
Healthy lifestyle, nutrition, exercise
Smoking cessation or alcohol use

Vaccinations

We ensure you are up to date on:

Flu shots
COVID-19 boosters
HPV vaccine
Tdap (especially during pregnancy)

Vaccination needs are reviewed annually, even if no shots are needed that year.

Every Year, Every Age

Your annual OB-GYN visit is essential at every stage of life:

Teens & Young Adults: Menstrual health, STI screening, HPV vaccine
20s–40s: Reproductive planning, cancer screening, contraception
40s–60s: Perimenopause support, breast and colon cancer screening
65+: Osteoporosis prevention, postmenopausal care, sexual health

Each year brings new considerations—that’s why this visit should never be skipped.

What If I Feel Fine?

Many women believe that if they feel well, they don’t need an exam. But many health concerns—like high blood pressure, cervical changes, or early-stage breast cancer—don’t cause symptoms at first.

Your yearly visit gives us the chance to catch these conditions early, when they are most treatable.

Book Your Annual Exam Today

At Complete Healthcare in Richland, WA, we make your annual OB-GYN visit comfortable, supportive, and personalized. Whether you're due for a Pap test, have questions about birth control, or simply want to stay proactive, Dr. Richard Lorenzo and Kortney Jones are here for you—every year.