Welcome to the women’s health program at Sri Ramachandra Medical Center. We recognize that women have different health care needs than men. We have therefore designed a wellness exam that incorporates into it all the important aspects that an otherwise healthy woman would need to have done on a periodic basis. If you already know that you have a health problem please inform our physician about this so that we can guide you appropriately. We have provided for you below a description of the various examinations and tests that we have put together for you as part of the wellness examination. The most important part of the exam is however the time that you will spend with the doctor in explaining your problems. Your doctor will also go through a list of questions that are designed to determine if you have certain risk factors for conditions that may require additional testing or a consultation with an expert. Your doctor will also perform a thorough physical examination that will form the basis of further evaluation. We understand that some of the tests may be inconvenient, but we hope that our experienced team will be able to guide you through the procedures as painlessly as possible. Please do not hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse any questions that you may have.

• What is it? : An inflatable cuff, wrapped around your upper arm, measures the amount of pressure your heart generates when pumping blood and when at rest.
  
  
• Why? : Early detection of high blood pressure (hypertension).
  
  
• How often? : Initial test at age 21, then at least every 2 years.

• What is it? : A simple blood test that measures total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the ‘bad” cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good’ cholesterol) and triglycerides.
  
  
• Why? : Undesirable levels of cholesterol raise your risk of heart attack and stroke.
  
  
• How often? : If you’re 20 years of age or older, have your cholesterol measured every 5 years. Your doctor may recommend more frequent measurements if your levels are abnormal.

• What is it? : A physical examination of your breasts and armpits. Your doctor looks for color changes, skin irregularities and changes in your nipples. She also feels your breasts and armpits for lumps and enlarged lymph nodes.
  
  
• Why? : To detect suspicious changes and to exclude breast cancer.
  
  
• How often? : An initial clinical breast exam at age 20, with subsequent exams every 3 years. At age 40, you should begin annual clinical breast exams.

• What is it? : Your doctor examines your external genitals to make sure they look normal To see the inner walls of your vagina and cervix, your doctor inserts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart. She will then look for sores, lumps, inflammation or signs of abnormal discharge. After removing the speculum, your doctor inserts two gloved fingers inside your vagina. While simultaneously pressing down on your abdomen, she physically examines your uterus and ovaries.
  
  
• Why? : To detect any abnormalities, such as cysts, tumors, infections or other problems such as muscle weakness that can cause the uterus or bladder to sag. If you have an abnormal discharge, your doctor can obtain a sample to identify the cause.
  
  
• How often? : Annually starting with the beginning of sexual activity.

• What is it? : Your doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina. Then using a small wooden spatula, brush or cotton swab, your doctor gently removes cells from your cervix. The procedure generally takes only a few minutes. Your doctor places the cells on a glass slide and sends them for microscopic examination.
  
  
• Why? : To detect cancer and precancerous changes of your cervix.
  
  
• How often? : You should have your first Pap test about 3 years after first having a sexual relationship then every 2 - 3 years thereafter until the age of 65.

• Kidney function tests: This blood test can provide information about how well organs such as your liver and kidneys are working.
  
  
• Chest X-ray: Chest X-rays reveal the size and shape of your heart and the condition of your lungs, which can help your doctor detect heart or lung disease.
  
  
• Complete blood count (CBC) with differential and blood group : This test measures: Hemoglobin amount determines oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood; Hematocrit percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells; White blood cells number and type; Platelets number. A CBC can help detect the presence of many conditions, including anemia, infections and leukemia.
  
  
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) : An ECG can detect abnormalities such as heart damage after a heart attack, an irregular heart rhythm or an enlarged heart.
  
  
• The blood sugar test: This test measures the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood after an 8-hour fast. High glucose levels can be an indication of diabetes.
  
  
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test: This is a blood test for levels of TSH, a hormone made by your pituitary gland that stimulates your thyroid to produce the hormone thyroxine. A TSH test can detect whether your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). Thyroid disorders are very common among women.
  

• Urinalysis: This test detects substances in your urine that may indicate a medical problem. Excess sugar (glucose), for instance, may suggest diabetes. White blood cells may indicate the presence of an infection. Red blood cells may signal a disorder of the kidneys, ureter or bladder. An elevated bilirubin may suggest liver disease. If you are older than 50 or are after menopause the following three additional are important

Mammogram

• What is it? : An X-ray of your breast tissue. Why? : To detect breast lumps or suspicious changes or calcifications when they’re too small to be detected by physical examination. These small lumps can be the first finding of early-stage breast cancer.
  
  
• How often? : Annually after age 50.

• What is it? : This test measures the density of your bones, indicating your risk of fracture at the most common sites affected
  
  
• Why? : To detect osteoporosis a disease characterized by a loss of bone mass, which makes bones more fragile and likely to break, especially affecting the hip, spine and wrist.
  
  
• How often? : After menopause especially after the age of sixty if you have certain risk factors and routinely after the age of 65

• What is it? : This test will evaluate your uterus and it’s lining and the ovaries
  
  
• Why? : To determine if there are any abnormalities like swellings or cysts in the uterus or ovaries. Some of these can be malignant
  
  
• How often? : Many doctors recommend this test atleast once after menopause.