May is National Women’s Health Month, and there is no better time to take stock of where you stand with your own health. Women are often the caregivers in their families and communities, which means their own health needs get pushed to the back of the list. But preventive care, routine screenings, and annual wellness visits are not optional extras. They are the foundation of a long, healthy life.
At Orchard Medical Group, our primary care team in Salem, Hampstead, and Manchester, NH provides comprehensive women’s health services at every stage of life. Whether you are in your twenties and establishing care for the first time, navigating perimenopause, or approaching senior wellness, this guide is for you. Here is what every woman should have on her health checklist and why it matters.
Your Annual Wellness Exam: The Foundation of Women’s Health
The annual wellness exam is the cornerstone of preventive care for women. It is not just a checkup. It is an opportunity for your provider to review your full health picture, catch early warning signs, update screenings, and build the kind of long-term relationship that makes a real difference in outcomes.
At your annual exam at Orchard Medical Group, your provider will review your medical and family history, check your blood pressure, heart rate, and BMI, order relevant lab work, discuss your medications and supplements, assess your mental and emotional health, and coordinate necessary referrals. For women, the annual exam also typically includes a breast exam and a conversation about reproductive health, menstrual changes, or menopausal symptoms.
If it has been more than a year since your last physical, this month is a great time to book one. Same-day and next-day appointments are available at our Salem, Hampstead, and Manchester locations.
Essential Screenings for Women by Age
Preventive screenings are one of the most powerful tools in medicine. Many of the conditions that most threaten women’s health, including heart disease, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, are far more manageable when caught early. Your provider will tailor these recommendations to your personal history and risk factors.
In Your 20s and 30s
- Pap smear: Every 3 years starting at age 21, or every 5 years with HPV co-testing starting at age 25.
- Blood pressure: Checked at every wellness visit. High blood pressure has no symptoms and is frequently undetected in younger women.
- Cholesterol: Baseline lipid panel recommended by age 20, then periodically based on results and risk.
- Depression and anxiety screening: An important part of primary care for women at every age.
In Your 40s
- Mammogram: Annual mammograms are recommended beginning at age 40 for women at average risk.
- Blood glucose and A1C: Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes becomes increasingly important in this decade.
- Thyroid function (TSH): Women are significantly more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders, and symptoms often mimic other midlife changes.
- Perimenopause discussion: Many women begin experiencing symptoms in their 40s. Your provider can evaluate what you are experiencing and discuss options.
In Your 50s and Beyond
- Colon cancer screening: Colonoscopy or alternative methods recommended starting at age 45.
- Bone density (DEXA scan): Recommended at menopause or earlier for women with risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Cardiovascular monitoring: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose management become even more critical post-menopause, as heart disease risk rises significantly.
- Medicare annual wellness visit: For women 65 and older enrolled in Medicare, this visit is covered annually and includes a personalized prevention plan.
Health Topics Every Woman Should Know About
Heart Disease in Women
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, yet many women still think of it primarily as a men’s health issue. Women’s symptoms can present differently than the classic chest pain often associated with men, making it more likely to go unrecognized. Risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are all modifiable. Your primary care provider can assess your personal cardiovascular risk and build a management plan with you.
Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention
Women lose bone density more rapidly than men, particularly in the years following menopause. Adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, along with weight-bearing exercise, are the best defenses. If you are unsure whether your levels are adequate, your provider can check through routine bloodwork. Bone density screening gives you and your provider a clear picture of where you stand and what steps are needed.
Mental Health and Hormonal Changes
Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression or anxiety. Hormonal shifts across the lifespan, including those tied to menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause, can significantly affect mood, cognition, and energy. Your primary care provider routinely screens for these concerns and can discuss options for support, including referrals to mental health professionals when appropriate. You do not have to manage these changes on your own.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause can begin as early as the late 30s or early 40s. Symptoms including irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and brain fog can significantly affect quality of life. These symptoms are not something women simply have to endure. Orchard Medical Group offers menopause support through our women’s health services, including symptom evaluation and personalized management options. If you are experiencing these changes, a conversation with your provider is a great first step.
Women’s Health Services at Orchard Medical Group
Our primary care services in NH include a full range of women’s health services delivered by a team that takes the time to listen. Our providers offer annual gynecologic wellness exams and Pap smears, birth control consultation and management, perimenopause and menopause evaluation, hormone-related concerns including thyroid management, PCOS, and heavy menstrual bleeding, preventive screening coordination for mammograms, bone density, and colon cancer, mental health screening and referral support, on-site lab services, and GLP-1 evaluation for weight management.
We accept most major insurance plans and offer telehealth for many follow-up and wellness visits. New patients are always welcome at our Salem, Hampstead, and Manchester, NH locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women’s Health in Primary Care
1. Do I still need an annual physical if I see an OB/GYN?
Yes. Your OB/GYN focuses on reproductive and gynecologic health, but your primary care provider manages your overall health including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, mental health, immunizations, and chronic disease management. The two complement each other and should not be treated as interchangeable. If you do not currently have a primary care provider in the Salem, Hampstead, or Manchester, NH area, Orchard Medical Group is accepting new patients.
2. What are the signs of perimenopause and when should I see a doctor?
Perimenopause can begin 4 to 10 years before menopause, often in the early to mid-40s. Common signs include irregular periods, heavier or lighter bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and difficulty concentrating. See your provider if these symptoms are affecting your quality of life. Many women suffer through these changes unnecessarily when effective support is available.
3. Can my primary care doctor manage my PCOS or thyroid condition?
Yes. Both PCOS and thyroid disorders are commonly managed in primary care. Your provider can order lab work, evaluate your symptoms, prescribe medication where appropriate, and coordinate specialist referrals when needed. Regular monitoring ensures these conditions are not going unmanaged between specialist visits.
4. How often should I get a mammogram?
Most guidelines recommend that women at average risk begin annual mammogram screening at age 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may be advised to start earlier. Your primary care provider will review your personal history and help you determine the right schedule. We also coordinate mammogram referrals as part of your preventive care.
5. Is telehealth available for women’s health visits at Orchard Medical Group?
Yes. Many women’s health concerns including follow-up appointments, birth control consultations, discussion of lab results, and symptom check-ins for perimenopause or thyroid management are well suited to telehealth visits. Physical exams and Pap smears require an in-person visit, but telehealth is a convenient option for a wide range of follow-up and wellness conversations. Contact us to find out if your specific concern qualifies.
This Women’s Health Month, Make Your Health a Priority
The best investment you can make in your family and community is taking care of yourself first. Whether you are overdue for an annual physical, have symptoms you have been putting off, or simply want to establish care with a primary care team you can trust, Orchard Medical Group is here for you.
We serve women in Salem, Hampstead, and Manchester, NH, as well as surrounding communities including Windham, Derry, Londonderry, Atkinson, Plaistow, Pelham, and Nashua. Same-day and next-day appointments are available. Call us at 603-329-5222 (Salem/Hampstead) or 888-927-0461 (Manchester), or book online at orchardmedgroup.com. Your care, your way.
