Women’s Health & Screening Specialist

Femina Careo

Elias Moukarzel, MD

OBGYN & Urogynecology located in El Centro, CA & Carlsbad, CA

Monitoring your gynecologic issues is an important part of regular health and wellness management. To ensure you get the best care possible, board-certified OB/GYN, Dr. Elias Moukarzel, requests patients schedule a routine, yearly physical at Femina Careo. During this appointment, he monitors your health, screens for diseases, and discusses any concerns. If you live in El Centro or Carlsbad, California, call the doctor with over 18 years of experience for your women’s health and screening needs or schedule your appointment online.

Women's Health Q & A

How often should you see your OB/GYN?

If you are a woman in her childbearing years or in menopause, Dr. Moukarzel recommends yearly routine well-woman appointments. This annual exam allows your doctor to monitor your health and wellness and screen for any potentially dangerous conditions. If you have a chronic condition, your OB/GYN can monitor its progression.

Plus, seeing Dr. Moukarzel at least once a year keeps you as an active patient at his practice and keeps him familiar with your case. It also provides you an opportunity to discuss any symptoms or concerns you have, including changes in your period, any sexual dysfunction issues, or questions about fertility.

What happens during a well-woman appointment?

When you see Dr. Moukarzel for your annual well-woman appointment, he performs a range of services and screenings. He measures your height, weight, and vitals. He will perform a breast exam, pelvic exam, and a pap smear, (if needed) looking for any abnormalities.

If you’re experiencing any issues, he may perform other examines or tests. He may advise you to take a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test, or have you receive the Guardasil vaccine for HPV.

Along with this physical, If you’re over 40 or are high risk for breast cancer, Dr. Moukarzel recommends a yearly mammogram, which screens you for breast cancer.

In addition, he may:

Discuss birth control options
Screen you for depression
Recommend a bone density test and colonoscopy
Counsel you on preconception issues
Help you manage menopause symptoms

Who should see an OB/GYN for a well-woman exam?

Although not officially recommended until 21, any female who has started menstruating can benefit from an annual visit with their OB/GYN. If under 21 and sexually active, Dr. Moukarzel encourages you to schedule an annual exam.

At 21, pelvic exams, breast exams, and Pap smears begin, and you should have these screenings done once a year, every year, at least through menopause. After menopause, Dr. Moukarzel may do less frequent Pap smears.

What we offer