| Recommended Health Screenings And Prevention Steps For Women Ages 19-39 |
It's easy to get distracted from a healthy lifestyle as work and family responsibilities become more time consuming.
If you have gained weight, work with your health care professionals to develop a weight-loss program. If your blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar is high, review the many options for improving your health. Take advantage of community resources that offer health and fitness programs for women.
If you are thinking about pregnancy, partner with your health care professional to learn the best way to manage any likely problems, such as gestational diabetes. Your risk of birth defects increases with a pregnancy after age 35. Begin drinking orange juice or find other sources of folic acid, which has been linked to lower birth defects. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that you take a supplement with 0.4 to 0.8 milligrams (400 to 800 micrograms) of folic acid daily If you are planning or capable of getting pregnant. You should see your doctor for prenatal care as soon as you know or think that you are pregnant, even if you are not a first time mom.
It's also important to keep aware of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, which can affect not only your fertility but your and your partner's health.
If you smoke, this is the time to quit. Smoking can lead to lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in women.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend aspirin for stroke prevention in women younger than 55 years or for preventing heart attacks (myocardial infarction).
The following screening and preventive steps should be followed in consultation with your health care professional:
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Test/Vaccine*
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How Often
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Blood Pressure
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Every two years — 18 years of age and older
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Periodically — 18 years of age and older
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Every 3 years — Pap smear for women 21-65 years of age. Women 30-65 years of age may have a Pap smear AND human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years. Talk with your doctor to discuss the method of screening that is right for you.
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Routinely — 24 years of age and younger and sexually active
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Routinely — 18 years of age and older
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Routinely — 18 years of age and older
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Routinely — 18 years of age and older
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Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Td/Tdap)
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1 Dose Td every 10 years; substitute a single dose of Td with Tdap vaccine — 19 years of age and older
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Perinatal Screening Tests**
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Recommendation
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Bacteriuria
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Urine culture – 12-16 weeks' gestation or first prenatal visit, whichever is first
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
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Rh (D) antibody
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First prenatal visit – repeat at 24-28 weeks' gestation for all unsensitized Rh (D)-negative women, unless the biological father is known to be Rh (D)-negative
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HIV
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Syphilis
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Iron deficiency anemia
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Breastfeeding
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During and after pregnancy – promote and support breastfeeding
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Tobacco Use
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During pregnancy – provide augmented pregnancy-tailored counseling for those who smoke
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Perinatal Vaccines***
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Recommendation
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Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)
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1 dose during each pregnancy
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*The preventive health screenings are based on the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) as of 1/3/13.
**The vaccine recommendations are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 8/21/12. Recommendations change often. A full list of the most current recommendations may be accessed at these websites.
***This information is a summary of perinatal services recommendations from the USPSTF and the CDC for healthy pregnant women with normal risk. Talk with your doctor to find out what services are right for you and when you should have them. Your doctor may have additional recommendations. The material has been prepared for your general information only. Aetna does not warrant or guarantee, and shall not be liable for any deficiencies in, the information contained herein, or for the accuracy or appropriateness of any services provided by independent third parties. Aetna does not recommend the self management of health or related issues, nor does Aetna offer medical advice. You should consult your physician or appropriate professional for advice and care appropriate for your needs.
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