Women's health at Viva Medical Center covers preventive care, reproductive health, gynecological screenings, and menopause support — all in a bilingual Doral clinic. Annual well-woman exams, cervical cancer screening, family planning, and menopause symptom management are coordinated by your primary care physician, in alignment with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Our team takes the time to listen, answer every question in English or Spanish, and treat the whole person — not just the symptom — for women across Doral, Fontainebleau, Sweetwater, West Miami, and the rest of Miami-Dade.
Preventive & Routine Women's Care
Proactive screening is the foundation of women's health. Our annual women's health exams are designed to catch risks early, keep your screenings on the right schedule, and give you a complete picture of your health, following USPSTF Grade A and B recommendations:
- Annual well-woman exams — comprehensive head-to-toe assessments tailored for women
- Pap smear (Papanicolaou test) for cervical cancer screening — USPSTF recommends every 3 years for women ages 21–29, and every 5 years with co-testing for ages 30–65 (USPSTF 2018)
- Breast exams and mammogram referrals — USPSTF 2024 recommends screening mammography every 2 years for women ages 40–74
- Pelvic exams — assessment of reproductive organ health
- STI screenings — confidential, judgment-free testing and counseling
- Cardiovascular and metabolic screenings — blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
Recommended Screening Schedules by Age
We follow USPSTF and ACOG recommendations so your screenings are evidence-based, not arbitrary. A typical adult woman in our practice follows this cadence:
- Ages 21–29 — annual well-woman exam, Pap smear every 3 years, STI screening based on risk, cholesterol and blood pressure every 1–3 years
- Ages 30–39 — annual well-woman exam, Pap with HPV co-testing every 5 years, baseline cholesterol, family planning discussion, fertility counseling if desired
- Ages 40–49 — annual well-woman exam, biennial mammogram starting at 40 (USPSTF 2024), Pap with co-testing every 5 years, perimenopause screening if symptomatic
- Ages 50–64 — annual well-woman exam, biennial mammogram, Pap with co-testing every 5 years through 65, colorectal cancer screening starting at 45, bone density screening starting at 65 (earlier if risk factors)
- Ages 65+ — annual well-woman exam, mammogram per shared decision-making, bone density every 2 years, fall risk assessment, vaccination review (shingles, pneumococcal, flu)
Reproductive & Hormonal Health
Hormonal health touches virtually every aspect of a woman's well-being. We provide expert guidance at every phase:
- Contraception counseling — honest, pressure-free discussion of all available options including barrier methods, hormonal oral contraceptives, the patch, the ring, injectable hormonal contraception, hormonal and copper intrauterine devices, and natural family planning
- Menstrual health management — evaluation and treatment of irregular, painful, or heavy periods
- Hormone imbalance assessment — comprehensive panel testing with personalized management (see our hormone treatment page for the full evaluation pathway)
- Perimenopause and menopause support — relief for hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disruption, and genitourinary symptoms
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) — hormonal regulation and symptom management
- Thyroid health screening — often the hidden driver of fatigue, weight changes, and mood shifts
Perimenopause & Menopause Care
More than 1 million U.S. women reach menopause each year, per the NIH National Institute on Aging (2024), and the average age in the U.S. is 51. Perimenopause — the transition before menopause — can start in the early 40s and last up to 10 years. We support women through this transition with:
- A structured first visit covering symptom inventory, family history of breast and cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, BMI, and baseline labs (TSH, lipid panel, A1c, vitamin D)
- Evidence-based discussion of menopausal hormone therapy benefits and risks per the Women's Health Initiative follow-up evidence and the North American Menopause Society 2022 position statement
- Non-hormonal options for women who prefer or need them — including lifestyle, cognitive behavioral therapy, and non-hormonal prescription options
- Bone health and fracture risk discussion — most women lose bone density rapidly in the first 5 years after menopause
- Vaginal and urinary symptom management — these are common, treatable, and often under-discussed
- Coordination with our hormone treatment team for advanced hormonal evaluation when needed
Prenatal & Preconception Guidance
Whether you are planning ahead or just found out you are expecting, we support the beginning of that journey:
- Preconception health counseling — optimizing your nutrition, medications, and chronic-condition control before pregnancy
- Early prenatal care and coordination with OB/GYN specialists in Miami-Dade
- Folic acid and prenatal supplement guidance per CDC recommendations (400 mcg daily for women planning pregnancy)
- First trimester monitoring and referrals to trusted obstetric practices
- Breastfeeding and lactation support resources after delivery
Mental & Emotional Wellness
Mental health is women's health. We screen, support, and connect you with the right resources:
- Postpartum depression screenings and support per ACOG 2018 guidance (universal screening at the postpartum visit)
- Anxiety and depression evaluation and management — including perimenopausal mood changes
- Stress management and mind-body wellness counseling
- Referrals to women's mental health specialists in Miami-Dade
Why Women Across Miami-Dade Choose Viva
- Bilingual team — English and Spanish, so every conversation is truly comfortable
- Patient-centered, non-judgmental environment — you are never rushed or dismissed
- Same-day appointments available for urgent concerns
- Most major insurance plans accepted — Medicare Advantage, Oscar, Aetna, Cigna PPO, Humana, and more
- Convenient Doral location serving Fontainebleau, Sweetwater, West Miami, and all of Miami-Dade
Sources
- ACOG — Patient Education and Practice Resources — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- USPSTF — Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendation (2018) — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- USPSTF — Breast Cancer Screening Recommendation (2024) — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- CDC — Women's Reproductive Health — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- NIH Office of Research on Women's Health — NIH Office of Research on Women's Health
- NIH National Institute on Aging — Menopause Overview — NIH National Institute on Aging
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an annual well-woman exam?
A well-woman exam at Viva Medical Center includes a full history review, blood pressure, BMI, heart and lung exam, breast exam, abdominal and pelvic exam, age-appropriate cancer screenings (Pap smear with or without HPV co-testing, mammogram referral, colorectal screening when due), STI counseling and testing based on risk, mental health screening, and a personalized prevention plan. We follow USPSTF and ACOG recommendations for what is performed at each visit. Visits typically run 30 to 45 minutes.
How often do I need a Pap smear?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends Pap smears every 3 years for women ages 21–65 (USPSTF 2018). For women ages 30–65 who prefer to extend the interval, co-testing with HPV testing every 5 years is also an acceptable option. Women under 21 do not need routine Pap screening. Women over 65 with a history of normal Paps may stop screening. We tailor the schedule to your history and risk factors during your visit.
Do you coordinate mammograms?
Yes. We order and coordinate screening mammograms with imaging partners across Miami-Dade. The USPSTF 2024 recommendation is screening mammography every 2 years for women ages 40–74. Women with a family history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or a BRCA mutation may need earlier or more frequent screening or supplemental MRI — we review your personal risk during your well-woman visit and arrange accordingly.
What contraception options do you offer?
We counsel on and prescribe all major categories of contraception — barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm), combined hormonal oral contraceptives, hormonal patch and ring, injectable hormonal contraception, hormonal intrauterine devices and copper intrauterine devices (referral for placement), implants, emergency contraception, and natural family planning. The right choice depends on your health history, preferences, family-planning goals, and tolerance for side effects. We discuss every option without pressure.
Do you offer STI testing?
Yes. We provide confidential STI testing including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and HIV. Testing is available during routine visits or as a dedicated appointment. We follow CDC and USPSTF screening recommendations based on your age and risk factors. Results are handled with complete privacy and discussed with care, and treatment is initiated the same day when results return positive.
Do you provide menopause and perimenopause support?
Yes. We offer comprehensive perimenopause and menopause care including structured symptom evaluation, baseline labs (TSH, lipids, vitamin D, A1c), risk-benefit discussion of menopausal hormone therapy per ACOG and North American Menopause Society guidance, non-hormonal options for women who prefer them, bone-health planning, and ongoing follow-up. For deeper hormonal evaluation we coordinate with our hormone treatment service.
Do you support breastfeeding and lactation?
Yes. Our team provides early breastfeeding guidance and lactation support resources during pregnancy and after delivery — including positioning, latch troubleshooting, supply concerns, and back-to-work planning. For complex cases we refer to certified lactation consultants in Miami-Dade. We also screen and manage common postpartum issues including mastitis, postpartum depression, and thyroid changes.
What is perimenopause and how is it different from menopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when hormone levels fluctuate, typically starting in the early to mid-40s and lasting 4 to 8 years on average. Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and brain fog. Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period, with an average age of 51 in the U.S. per the NIH National Institute on Aging. We screen and manage symptoms throughout the entire transition, not just after the menstrual cycle ends.
Can I do family planning at Viva without a referral?
Yes. No referral is required for family planning, contraception, or general women's health services at Viva Medical Center for PPO plan holders. HMO members may need a PCP referral — call us at +1 305 209 0001 and we will help you navigate your plan. We offer preconception counseling, contraception management, fertility evaluation referrals, and early pregnancy care all under one roof.
Is women's health care covered by insurance?
Most preventive services for women — annual well-woman exams, Pap smears, contraception, screening mammograms, STI screening, and prenatal vitamins — are covered at no cost-share under the Affordable Care Act preventive-services rule. Treatment for diagnosed conditions (irregular bleeding workups, perimenopause hormone therapy, fertility workups) follows your plan's regular benefit structure. Our team verifies your benefits before your visit so there are no surprises.