It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is that it depends. Your age, your health history, and the care you need right now all play a part. Here is a practical guide to what a healthy visit schedule looks like at each stage of life.

The Short Answer: Plan on a Yearly Visit

Most women benefit from an annual well-woman exam. Not every visit includes a Pap test or pelvic exam, but each one is a chance to review your overall health, ask questions, and catch concerns early. Many women also use their OB-GYN as a main source of preventive care, so this visit often covers more than you’d expect.

Your First Visit: The Teen Years

Girls can see an OB-GYN for the first time between ages 13 and 15. This first visit is usually a conversation, not an exam. It’s a chance to talk about periods, cramps, body changes, and healthy habits in a comfortable setting. A pelvic exam usually isn’t needed at this age unless there’s a specific problem.

Ages 21 to 29: Starting Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer screening generally begins at age 21. If your results are normal, Pap tests are typically needed every three years. Yearly visits are still valuable during these years. They give you a chance to discuss:

•       Birth control options

•       STI testing and prevention

•       The HPV vaccine

•       Irregular, painful, or heavy periods

•       Planning for pregnancy

Ages 30 to 65: Staying on Schedule

For women 30 and older, screening can include a Pap test, an HPV test, or both together. Depending on the method and your results, your provider may recommend screening every three to five years. Your yearly visit stays important for:

•       Breast health and mammogram planning

•       Managing heavy or abnormal bleeding

•       Family planning and pregnancy care

•       Early signs of conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or PCOS

•       Changes in mood, sleep, or energy

During Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with its own visit schedule. Prenatal appointments are usually more frequent as you get closer to your due date, and women with higher-risk pregnancies may be seen more often. Your care team will build a plan around you and your baby.

Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond

Your needs change after menopause, but your visits still matter. An OB-GYN can help with hot flashes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, bladder changes, and bone health. Screening needs are also reviewed individually, so keep up your visits even if you no longer need a Pap test. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, talk with your provider before assuming you can skip your exams.

When to Call Sooner

Don’t wait for your annual visit if you notice any of these:

•       Very heavy periods, or bleeding between periods or after sex

•       Pelvic pain that doesn’t go away

•       Unusual discharge, odor, or itching

•       Painful intercourse

•       A new breast lump or change

•       A missed period or a positive pregnancy test

•       Possible exposure to an STI

•       Mood changes that are affecting daily life

Make Your Visit Count

A few small steps help you get the most from your appointment:

1.      Write down the first day of your last period.

2.      List any symptoms, even ones that seem minor.

3.      Bring a list of your medications and supplements.

4.      Note any changes in your family health history.

5.      Come with questions. No topic is off limits.

Schedule Your Visit with All About Women OB/GYN

Our board-certified OB-GYNs and care team provide gynecologic and obstetric care for women across Northern Virginia at our Reston and Leesburg offices. Whether you’re due for an annual exam, expecting, or dealing with a health concern, we’re here to listen and build a plan that fits you.

Call (703) 437-0001 or request an appointment online today.

Over time, we come to develop an understanding of what a “normal period” means for us. Some women have light periods with next-to-no symptoms, while others have heavier flows and a whole spectrum of symptoms, including cramps, back pain, and headaches. Whatever your period looks like, you probably notice when it changes. If your period is suddenly much heavier, lasts longer, or starts interfering with your daily life, those changes can be concerning.

An unusually heavy period can sometimes happen due to a temporary hormonal fluctuation. However, consistently heavy or suddenly heavier periods can also be a sign of an underlying gynecologic condition.

Below, we look at some potential causes behind changes in your period and how your OB/GYN can help.

What Is Considered a Heavy Period? 

Heavy menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia, means losing more blood during your period than you usually do or bleeding that significantly impacts your everyday life.

Rather than trying to measure exactly how much blood you are losing, pay attention to changes in your usual pattern. Signs of heavy menstrual bleeding can include:

• Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
• Needing to use two forms of period protection at once
• Waking during the night to change pads or tampons
• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
• Bleeding for longer than seven days
• Avoiding normal activities because of your bleeding

Heavy periods can also lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath. If you think you might have iron-deficiency anemia, talk to your OB/GYN about treatment options or lifestyle adjustments that might help.

Why Did My Period Suddenly Get Heavier?

There are quite a few possible reasons for a sudden change in menstrual bleeding. Sometimes, the cause is related to hormonal changes that affect how the uterine lining develops and sheds.

Heavy periods may be associated with:

• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause the uterine lining to thicken, resulting in heavier bleeding.
• Perimenopause: Periods often become less predictable as you approach menopause and may sometimes be heavier or longer.
• Uterine fibroids: These noncancerous growths in or around the uterus can cause heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure, and pain.
• Uterine polyps: Small growths of the uterine lining can contribute to heavy or irregular bleeding.
• Adenomyosis: This condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus and can cause heavy, painful periods.
• Thyroid problems: Thyroid disorders can interfere with the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle.
• Certain medications or birth control methods: Blood thinners and some forms of contraception can affect menstrual bleeding.
  Pregnancy-related complications and, less commonly, certain cancers can also cause abnormal bleeding. This is one reason a significant or persistent change in your period should be evaluated rather than self-diagnosed.

Can Stress Cause a Heavier Period?

Stress can affect the hormones involved in your menstrual cycle. This can sometimes cause your period to arrive early, late, or differently than usual. Changes in weight, exercise, sleep, or illness can also temporarily affect your cycle.

Even so, it’s important not to assume that stress is responsible for significant heavy bleeding. If your periods are unusually heavy or prolonged, an OB/GYN can evaluate you for other possible causes.

When Should I See an OB/GYN About Heavy Periods? 

Schedule an appointment if your periods have become noticeably heavier, are lasting longer than usual, or are affecting your quality of life.

You should also talk to your OB/GYN if heavy bleeding occurs along with symptoms such as:

• Significant pelvic pain or pressure
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Increasingly irregular periods
• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Frequent or large blood clots

You should get prompt medical attention for extremely heavy bleeding, especially if you are soaking through pads or tampons every hour for more than two hours and also feel dizzy, lightheaded, short of breath, or have chest pain.

How Will My OB/GYN Find the Cause of Heavy Periods?

An evaluation usually starts with a discussion of your menstrual cycle, including when the change began, how long your periods last, and how heavy the bleeding has become.

Depending on your symptoms, your OB/GYN might recommend a pelvic exam, blood tests, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, or other diagnostic procedures. These tests can help identify issues like anemia, hormonal abnormalities, fibroids, polyps, or other conditions that affect the uterus.

How Are Heavy Periods Treated? 

Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of your heavy bleeding, how severe your symptoms are, and additional factors like your age and future pregnancy plans.

Your treatment options might include hormonal birth control, medications that help reduce menstrual bleeding, anemia treatment, or procedures that address fibroids or polyps. Some patients benefit from minimally invasive procedures or surgery when conservative treatments fail to offer relief.

Should I Be Concerned If My Periods Suddenly Become Heavy? 

One unusually heavy period isn’t necessarily something to worry about. But if your periods suddenly change and stay that way, it is worth discussing with your OB/GYN.

You do not have to accept heavy, exhausting, or disruptive periods as your new normal. Schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN to determine the cause of the change and learn about treatment options that may help.

Acne is a frustrating condition at any age. While most people associate acne with adolescence, many adults deal with persistent acne and struggle to identify the root cause. Some people find that skincare products, hormonal changes, food sensitivities, or stress can lead to their breakouts.

If you have PCOS, you might be wondering if there’s a connection to acne.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), recently renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect many aspects of your health, including your skin. In fact, for some people, persistent or difficult-to-treat acne is one of the first noticeable signs of PCOS.

Knowing the connection between acne and PCOS can help you decide whether you should discuss your stubborn breakouts with your healthcare provider and explore treatment options.

Why Can PCOS Cause Acne? 

The connection between PCOS and acne basically comes down to hormones. People with PCOS may have higher levels (or increased activity) of androgens, which are a group of hormones that includes testosterone. Androgens are sometimes called “male hormones,” but everyone produces them.

Higher androgen activity can cause your skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more oil. When excess oil combines with dead skin cells, it can cause clogged pores and inflammation, which is exactly where acne thrives.

Hormonal acne associated with PCOS might appear on areas like:

• Chin
• Jawline
• Lower cheeks
• Neck
• Chest
• Upper back

The location of your acne can’t tell you whether PCOS is the cause, but it could be one of several factors that help your doctor make a connection.

What Does PCOS-Related Acne Look Like? 

There isn’t one specific type of “PCOS acne.” Some people develop relatively mild breakouts, while others experience persistent inflammatory or cystic acne.

One potential clue is acne that continues or begins during adulthood, particularly when it occurs alongside other signs of a hormonal imbalance. Breakouts may also fluctuate with hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle.

If acne repeatedly returns despite appropriate skincare or over-the-counter treatments, it may be worth considering whether something beyond the skin is contributing.

What Other Symptoms Can Occur with Acne and PCOS? 

Acne by itself doesn’t mean you have PCOS. Because acne is so common, healthcare providers generally look at your symptoms and health history as a whole.

Other signs that may occur with PCOS include:

• Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
• Excess facial or body hair
• Thinning hair on the scalp
• Difficulty becoming pregnant due to irregular ovulation
• Weight changes or difficulty managing weight
• Darkened patches of skin
• Signs of insulin resistance
• Symptoms vary considerably from person to person. You don’t need to experience all of these changes to have the condition.

​​​Is PCOS Now Called PMOS? 

In May 2026, an international consensus officially renamed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The term PCOS emphasized the ovaries and “cysts,” but ovarian cysts aren’t necessarily a part of the condition.

This distinction is especially relevant when talking about symptoms like acne because PCOS/PMOS isn’t just an ovarian condition. Hormonal and metabolic changes can affect systems all throughout your body, and it’s not uncommon for those effects to show up on your skin.

The change is fairly new, so you’ll probably continue to see both PCOS and PMOS used as healthcare systems and patients get used to the new name.

How Do You Know If Your Acne Is Related to PCOS? 

There isn’t a single test that can determine whether a breakout is “PCOS acne.” Instead, your healthcare provider may ask about your menstrual cycle, symptoms, medical history, and family history before deciding whether further evaluation is appropriate.

Depending on your situation, evaluation may include a physical exam and blood tests to assess hormone levels and rule out other possible causes. Ovarian imaging may sometimes be appropriate, but you do not need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS.

Current diagnostic approaches consider a combination of factors, including ovulatory dysfunction, signs of androgen excess, and ovarian features, while excluding other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

How Is Acne from PCOS Treated?

Your treatment will depend on several things, like the severity of your acne, your other PCOS symptoms, your overall health, and whether you’re currently trying to become pregnant.

Your healthcare provider might recommend a combination of approaches, like:

Topical acne treatments
Hormonal contraceptives
Medications that address androgen activity
Treatments for insulin resistance
Nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other lifestyle strategies that support metabolic health
PCOS affects people differently, so there isn’t a single acne treatment that works for everyone. However, your doctor will take your symptoms, condition, and medical history into consideration to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

When Should You Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About Acne and PCOS? 

Occasional breakouts happen to nearly everyone. They might be caused by a season of stress, your menstrual cycle, or even a new makeup product. But persistent adult acne, especially if it’s accompanied by irregular periods, scalp hair thinning, fertility concerns, or other hormonal symptoms, could be worth discussing with your doctor.

Remember, when acne is connected to PCOS, looking beneath the surface can reveal hormonal and metabolic factors that deserve attention just as much as your skin. With the right treatment plan, you can address the root cause of your acne and possibly balance other symptoms as well.

Schedule an appointment today All About Women OB/GYN at Reston, VA to learn more.

Two-thirds of babies born in the United States are through vaginal deliveries. You have always heard that this type of delivery is easier than a C-section, especially the recovery. Since every woman is different, and many vaginal deliveries can take hours or even days, it can vary from woman to woman, but there are common things to be aware of. Here’s what to expect while recovering from vaginal delivery.

Continue reading “What to Expect While Recovering From Vaginal Delivery” →

You have accomplished a miraculous thing. You grew a baby inside your body for nine months, and then gave birth to a healthy new human being. Think about that! Yes, millions of women have done that for centuries, but now you did it. Take a breath and settle into an entirely new life by practicing self care after giving birth.

Continue reading “Practicing Self Care After Giving Birth” →