Many women wonder how often they should see a gynecologist, qualified doctor, or nurse practitioner. The answer depends on a variety of factors including the woman's health profile and level of sexual activity.

Most family planning advocacy groups recommend that women see a gynecologist (or OB/GYN) if they plan to become sexually active. For about half of Americans, this means at about 16 years. If you plan to become sexually active, you should see a gynecologist, family doctor or nurse practitioner first to discuss birth control options and safe practices. Once sexually active, most physicians recommend that women get yearly check-ups.

If you have not engaged in any kind of sexual behavior (not just intercourse), you should plan to see a gynecologist for the first time when you are 21 years old. Thereafter, it’s recommended that women in good health, who are not pregnant, should see a gynecologist annually.

While the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOB) generally recommends yearly exams, that recommendation is loosened for women over the age of 30 that have had at least three normal pap smears (a study of a small amount of cervical tissue to check for cervical cancer). For this group of woman, the ACOB suggests that check ups every two to three years is sufficient. Pap smears may be done more frequently, however, if a woman remains sexually active with more than one sexual partner, or if the woman’s sexual partner is active with any other partners.

Naturally, if you have problems or concerns with birth control methods, menstruation issues, unexplained pains, or any other issues or questions, you should see your doctor even if you recently had a routine check-up. If you are pregnant, you’ll see your gynecologist or obstetrician on a much more frequent basis, especially as your pregnancy advances. In the last few months, you’ll get to know your OB/GYN pretty well with bi-weekly and then weekly visits to monitor the progress of your pregnancy. Moreover, if you become pregnant, you should make an appointment to see your OB/GYN or family doctor right away to set up regular care during your pregnancy. If you’re planning to become pregnant you should have a check-up first.

Though women often think of gynecology as related to pregnancy and sexual activity, a annual gynecological exam is important for other reasons. It usually includes a check of your thyroid gland to rule out thyroid cancer, and a breast exam to check for lumps or abnormalities. These checks are equally important, preventative health measures.

Bottom line, you should see a gynecologist if any problems arise, and once a year after sexual activity begins, or once a year after you are 21. You should also visit an OB/GYN, nurse practitioner or family doctor if you are thinking about having sex for the first time, have had your first sexual encounter, want to get pregnant, believe you might be pregnant, or notice any irregularities in your breasts when you perform self-exams.