According to modern medical principles, an annual preventive visit to a gynecologist does not imply the automatic prescription of the same broad range of laboratory or instrumental tests for all women. The primary goal of a preventive examination is to assess the patient’s health status, identify individual risk factors, and recommend only those tests that are truly necessary in a specific clinical situation.
There are situations in which ordering additional tests or investigations is not appropriate:
- in the absence of symptoms and with a normal gynecological examination
- with a regular menstrual cycle and no concerning symptoms
- with normal results from previous examinations
- in the absence of clinical signs of hormonal imbalance
- in the absence of symptoms of infection
Ordering unnecessary tests may lead to false-positive results, unnecessary stress, repeated examinations, and unjustified treatment. Therefore, modern gynecological practice is based on an individualized approach and evidence-based medicine.
Why “more tests” is not always better
In medical practice, there is often a belief that the more tests a patient undergoes, the better her health is protected. However, research and international guidelines show that unnecessary testing does not improve diagnostic accuracy and may, in fact, create additional diagnostic uncertainty.
In some cases, laboratory or imaging studies may reveal clinically insignificant findings that do not require treatment. Such results can cause unnecessary anxiety, additional investigations, and avoidable interventions, which contradict the principles of high-quality, evidence-based care.
Physician–patient partnership in decision-making
During a preventive visit, open communication between the doctor and the patient is essential. The physician should explain why a particular test is recommended—or why it is not necessary at this stage—and the patient has the right to make an informed decision.
This partnership-based approach increases trust, reduces unnecessary medical interventions, and supports long-term, mindful, and responsible care for one’s health. This is the foundation of modern, evidence-based gynecological practice.