According to a recent study, many women skip doctor visits because they feel embarrassed or shy, especially when their check up requires pelvic exams. With Hurtt Clinic, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Hurtt Clinic is a low-cost health clinic offering well-woman visits and clinical breast exams to homeless and underserved patients whether or not they have health insurance. We are committed to protecting the confidentiality and privacy of our patients and the information they share with us.

We have fixed clinic locations in Tustin, Anaheim, and Santa Ana, CA where you can walk in or schedule an appointment. Moreover, our staff is comprised of Medi-Cal doctors in Orange County dedicated to helping low-income women in the area receive top-of-the-line medical services.

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions on our well-woman exam:

 

What is a well-woman exam?

A well-woman exam is a regular and preventive test of breast and gynecological diseases. It is a fundamental step every woman must take so they may learn about prevention practices, recognize risk factors, and identify health problems. From age 13, women are advised to take the well-woman exam every year.

What questions will they ask me?

Questions that will help our doctors determine the type of care that’s right for you are:

  • When was your last period?
  • How long does your period last?
  • Do you ever bleed or experience spotting in between periods?
  • Do you experience any unusual vaginal itching, pain, or discharge?
  • Do you have any other medical conditions?
  • How often do you have your period?
  • What medical problems do other members of your family have?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • Do you bleed during or after sex?
  • Is sex ever painful?
  • Are you using birth control?

 

What happens during the exam?

Depending on your age and medical history, what happens during a well-woman exam may vary. Here are a few of them:

Breast exam

This exam should be done annually and is recommended for women aged 40 and above. During the procedure, breasts are checked to see if there are changes in skin texture or shape, lumps, and any discharge from the nipple. You will also learn how to examine your breasts so you are able to detect unusual changes and immediately report them to your doctor. A breast exam is vital in the early detection and subsequent treatment of breast cancer.

Pelvic exam

A pelvic exam detects uterine or ovarian problems such as cervical polyps, ovarian cysts, genital herpes, pelvic inflammations, among certain conditions.  There are three components to this test:

    • An examination of the external genitalia
    • Vaginal and cervical exams
    • Bimanual exam of the uterus, cervix, and adnexa

Consult your physician about the frequency of undergoing pelvic exams if you are 21 years old and above.

Mammogram

This low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to check for cancer is recommended for women aged 40 years and up. A mammogram should be done every year.

Pap smear

Also known as Pap test, this screening procedure detects cervical cancer. During the procedure, your doctor will use a swab to take samples of cells from your cervix and then test it for any abnormal growth. Regular Pap smear is advisable for women aged 21 years old or older.


To learn more about our health programs and services, browse the website or call Hurtt Family Health Clinic at (714)247-0300. You can also email info@hurttclinic.org.