7 Things to Know About Gyno Exam: Fees, Precautions & More

Women aged over 20 should have annual gynecological examinations, since regular check-up can help detect asymptomatic gynecological diseases, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and chocolate cyst. In this article, examination procedures, testing items and fees of local gyno exam packages are explained for your better understanding.

Why do you need regular gyno exams?

Gynecological examinations can help women understand their bodies’ conditions and detect early-stage asymptomatic gynecological diseases, such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, chocolate cysts, sexually transmitted disease and osteoporosis which is common for aging women.

What does a gynecological examination include?

When choosing a gyno exam plan, you should take a close look at the testing items included. Below are the common items in a gynecological examination.

• Cervical Smear: Women who had sex should conduct this test to check any abnormal cervical cells.
  
  
• Breast Ultrasound: Examine if there are cysts and tumours in the breasts.
  
  
• Mammography: It refers to X-ray or radiography tests on the breasts for detecting cancer cells. This test is suitable for women with a high risk of breast cancer.
  
  
• Bone Density Tests: The tests can diagnose osteoporosis that is prevalent among ageing women.
  
  
• Premarital Check: Examine whether you have any hidden diseases that pose health risk on yourself, your partner and even your child.
  
  
• STD Screening: Test your vaginal discretion and blood for diagnosing if you have Test vaginal secretions and blood draws to diagnose any sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis and genital warts.
  
  
• Fertility Check: Understand your chance of pregnancy and detect if you have any genetic diseases.
  
  
• Pelvic Ultrasound: Examine your uterus and ovaries and detect if there are any cysts or fibromas.

At what age should you have your first gyno exam?

Any women aged 20 can receive gynecological examinations. Ladies at different life stages should be aware of varying examination items according to their conditions.

• 20 to 25 year old: Basic urine and blood checks to understand your physiological conditions.
  
  
• 25 to 40 year old: Cervical screening (Pap smear and HPV), breast and pelvis ultrasound; Women who are about to get married or pregnant should pay more attention to these tests.
  
  
• Aged over 40 years old: Women over 40 are closer to menopause and prone to breast cancer and osteoporosis. Regular gyno exams can help detect related health risks.

How often should you have gyno exams?

• Basic full-body examination: Once a year
  
  
• Cervical smear: All women who ever had sex should have regular cervical cancer screening. If your first cervical smear result is normal, you should have the second smear one year later. If your second and third smear results are also normal, you should repeat smears every three years.
  
  
• Mammography and breast ultrasound: As suggested by your doctor
  
  
• Pelvic ultrasound: As indicated by your doctor
  
  
• Premarital check, STD screening and fertility check: Before planning for marriage and pregnancy

What are the procedures of a gyno exam?

Procedures of gyno exams vary among different examination plans and organisations. A gynecological examination usually takes up to a half-day with the below stand procedures.

1. Fill out a health questionnaire: Understand your gynecological medical history, family history, pregnancy plans and menstrual cycle etc.
   
   
2. Body check: Record and measure your height, weight, blood pressure, BMI and body fat percentage etc.
   
   
3. Clinical examination: Include a vaginal examination (vulva, vagina and palpation examination), breast examination (observation and palpation examination).
   
   
4. Specific items included in your plan, such as ultrasound, radiography, cervical smear etc.

Does the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) provide gyno exams?

If you are looking for gynecological examinations with lower costs, the exams offered by FPAHK is a good option for consideration. FPAHK’s Women's Health Check-up includes the following tests and assessment items.

Consultation & Assessment	Fees (HKD)*
Women's Health Check-up  Including taking of medical history, general physical examination (measurement of blood pressure, pulse rate, body weight and height; examination of the thyroid, abdomen, breasts and pelvis; auscultation of heart and lung), urine analysis (for glucose and protein), Pap test (where appropriate) and teaching breast self-examination	$540 (with Pap test) $280 (without Pap test)
Doctor Assessment	$200

*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021

Investigation & Laboratory Tests	Fees (HKD)*
Bone Density Measurement	$550
Pelvic Ultrasound Scanning	$400
Female Sexually Transmissible Diseases Screening 1 Blood Test for Treponemal Antibody by EIA and HIV Ag/Ab Combo	$250
Female Sexually Transmissible Diseases Screening 2 Cervical Swab for Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae DNA by PCR, HVS for Trichomonas and Monilia	$550

*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021

Women aged below 26 could choose their Youth Health Care service, including reproductive health check-up, Pap test, blood tests, STD screening packages, contraceptive advice, termination of pregnancy referral and counselling, etc.

How much does a gyno exam cost?

Following is the fee and examination references of different private hospitals, medical centres and community institutions.

Private Hospitals

Hospitals	Plans	Major Gyno Assessment Items	Fees of Gyno Exams (HKD)*
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital	Well Women Screening Package	3D Mammogram Ultrasound of Breasts Pap Smear	$4,920 ($12,800 on top with Health Assessment Schemes A)
St. Paul Hospital	Well Women Plan A	Thinprep Pap Test  Mammogram OR Ultrasound Breast (Advised by the doctor after clinical assessment)	$4,200
Hong Kong Baptist Hospital	Women Health Plan 2	Pap Smear USG Pelvis USG Breasts	$2,580

*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021

Medical Centres

Medical Centres	Plans	Major Gyno Assessment Items	Fees of Gyno Exams (HKD)*
Mobile Medical Diagnostic Centre	Woman's Gold STAR Health Check Plan (8E)	100 items 3 Options: Ultrasound of Breast, Ultrasound of Pelvis, Pap Smear etc.	$5,680
Quality Health Medical Centre	Gynaecological Health Screening	Cervical Screening Pelvis Screening	$2,680
Hong Kong Health Check	Graceful Lady Health Check Plan	Pap Smear - Monolayer Choose any ONE of these items: Ultrasound of Lower Abdomen (Pelvis) / Ultrasound of Breasts (Both Sides)	$1,980

*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021

Community Institutions

Organisations	Plans	Major Gyno Assessment Items	Fees of Gyno Exams (HKD)*
United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service	Gynaecological Examination	Cervical Smear	$1,510
Tung Wah Eastern Hospital Women Clinic	Gynaecological Examination	Cervical Smear Taking	$420 3D Mammo-graphy +$1800 Gynaeco-logical Ultrasound +$500
Family Health Service	Woman Health Service	Cervical cancer screening and other laboratory tests if clinically indicated Screening mammography (For women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer after medical assessment)	HK$310 (Annual Fee) Screening mammo-graphy (each episode) +$225

*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021

How to prepare for a gyno exam?

• Avoid having an examination when you are menstruating, as it may influence the accuracy of the cervical test and leucorrhea test.
• Avoid vaginal douching and use of vaginal medicines before an examination.
• Need not fast or hold up urine.

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