New Year, New You: 3 Reasons to Schedule Your Well-Woman Exam Now

The team at V Care OB/GYN in New York City wishes you a Happy New Year. As we move into 2026, Gabriela Olaru, MD, remains dedicated to delivering highly personalized care to the women who entrust her with their women’s health needs. 

If you haven’t already booked your well-woman exam for this year, here are three reasons you should do so while you’re still making resolutions and thinking about the year ahead. 

Well-woman exams include necessary screenings

One of the biggest reasons well-woman exams are essential is their focus on preventive health. For most women, these annual exams include a pelvic exam, during which Dr. Olaru visually checks your vaginal and cervical tissues (as well as your external tissues) for signs of disease. 

Pap smear testing is also standard at a well-woman exam. This screening looks for abnormal changes in your cervical cells, which can indicate the beginning stages of cancer. 

Because human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the vast majority of cervical cancers, well-woman exams may also include HPV testing. 

You also receive a professional breast exam during your well-woman exam, and guidance on whether it’s time for a mammogram, which is digital imaging to screen for breast cancer. 

Well-woman exams ensure the appropriate birth control

If you’re sexually active, of childbearing age, and not trying to get pregnant, birth control should be part of your health routine. And more birth control options are available now than ever before. 

Many women, however, stick with one form of birth control for years or even decades. There may be a better fit for your needs, or an option better aligned with your lifestyle. A well-woman exam is a great time to find a family planning approach perfect for you. 

Well-woman exams are an opportunity to learn

If you’re like many women, your needs fall to the bottom of a long list of obligations to your family, your career, and your community. However, taking good care of yourself helps you perform at peak levels in all aspects of your life. 

Well-woman exams provide a setting where you can ask questions and receive up-to-date, scientifically backed health advice from a provider you know and trust. 

Topics can include whether to add supplements to your routine and how to approach weight loss, manage menopause symptoms, and prepare your body for pregnancy. Many women have questions about sexual health and how to achieve a fulfilling and safe sex life. 

No matter what topic you’d like to explore, Dr. Olaru is here to provide accurate, judgment-free guidance and support. 

Book your 2026 well-woman exam today

As you plan for 2026, schedule your annual well-woman exam now. It’s always easier to find a time and date that works for you when you book in advance, as appointment times tend to fill up quickly at V Care OB/GYN. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Contact us by phone or online today to schedule your appointment.