Women's Health Specialist
PHOENIX FAMILY MEDICAL CARE
At Phoenix Family Medical Care and Advanced Medical Aesthetics, located in Phoenix, Josef Khalil, MD, and his staff offer a variety of screenings and treatment options when it comes to women's health. He provides many of the same screenings offered by most gynecologists, including pregnancy tests and well-woman exams. The facility serves residents throughout the Phoenix area as well as many of the surrounding communities. Dr. Khalil encourages local women who have questions about their health to call the office or use our convenient online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.
Women's Health Q&A
What happens during a well-woman visit?
What happens during your well-woman visit depends on your age, your medical history, and your sexual history. If you’re over the age of 21, your visit will likely include a:
Pelvic exam
During a pelvic exam, Dr. Khalil examines your vulva and your reproductive organs, including the cervix, vagina, uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. He does this to check for issues like:
Infection
Irritation
Genital warts
Cysts
Tumors
The pelvic exam is over within a few minutes. It’s normal to be anxious about it though, and if you are, don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with Dr. Khalil.
Pap smear
Dr. Khalil performs the Pap smear during your pelvic exam. During the Pap smear, he swabs a tiny collection of cells from your cervix, which he sends into the lab to test for cell abnormalities. Any changes to the cells could be from human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause cervical cancer in women.
If your Pap smear comes back abnormal, Dr. Khalil will follow up with you to make sure your cells aren’t precancerous. If they are, he can treat them.
Breast exam
During a breast exam, Dr. Khalil checks for lumps and other changes in your breasts. To find them, he gently feels your breasts with his fingertips, then moves onto your armpits.
As you get older, your well-woman exams will include other tests, such as mammograms.
In addition to these components, during your well-woman visit, Dr. Khalil discusses things like:
Your period
Pregnancy
STDs
Any concerns that you have (ex. vaginal itching)
It’s important to be open and honest with Dr. Khalil so that he can provide you with the best care possible.
When should you consider taking a pregnancy test?
Once you've decided to stop taking birth control or are concerned that you may be pregnant, it's essential that you take a pregnancy test as soon as you think you might be pregnant. One of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. Other signs include:
Breast tenderness
Morning sickness
Fatigue
Headache
Swelling of the hands or feet
Increased urination
As soon as you begin to experience one or more of these signs, reach out to Dr. Khalil for a pregnancy test. This allows you to begin to receive the additional care you need to keep healthy during your pregnancy. If you’re due for a well-woman visit, or you have any other questions or concerns about your reproductive health, including a possible pregnancy, make an appointment with Dr. Khalil online or over the phone today.