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Annual well-woman gynecologic health assessments can promote prevention, identify disease risk and existing medical problems, and establish clinician–patient relationships, according to new expert-opinion–based guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Major recommendations include:
The first gynecologic visit should occur between age 13 and 15 and should emphasize education (e.g., body image, weight management, immunizations).
Pelvic examination is not a prerequisite to testing for sexually transmitted diseases or to initiating oral contraceptives in healthy, asymptomatic women.
Annual examination of the external genitalia should be performed in all women; complete pelvic examination is recommended for al…