May is National Women’s Health Month and to celebrate we are raising awareness on what women can do to prioritize their health.
One of the biggest steps you can take to prioritize your health is to get your annual well-woman checkup. Women’s preventive services can significantly improve health outcomes and save tens of thousands of lives per year by helping catch conditions early, when they may be easier to treat.
Not sure what goes on during a well-woman exam? Keep reading to find out what you can expect and learn why cancer screenings are important.
Health Review
Your well-woman exam can be done either at your primary care provider’s office or by a gynecologist. Your visit will likely start with a review of your health history. Come to your appointment prepared to answer questions about your medical history, prescriptions, diet, exercise habits and more.
If you have questions about your health, now is the time to ask. Talk to your health care team about:
- Contraception needs: Your provider can review your options for contraception in detail. Compass Rose Health Plan members have access to robust benefits for contraceptive care.
Learn more about our contraception coverage - Preconception: If you are planning to have a baby within the next year, talk to your provider about prenatal care, like vitamins or routine check-ups.
- Sexual health history: Discussing sexual health offers opportunities to screen for and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many common STIs don’t have obvious symptoms. The only way to know if you have one is through screening, which can be performed at your well-woman appointment.
- Managing symptoms of menopause: Going through menopause can be overwhelming. A gynecologist can provide tips and treatment strategies to help you manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms for a better quality of life.
- Pelvic health concerns: If you notice changes in bathroom use or start experiencing bothersome symptoms in your pelvis, it is important to talk to your health care team so you can receive the right treatment and diagnosis.
Get Digital Pelvic Health Care from Home
From sexual health to pelvic pain and complex dysfunctions, Bloom can help you address your pelvic health concerns. Learn more about Bloom’s digital pelvic health program, covered under our High Option plan.
Physical Exam
During your annual well-woman visit, your provider will perform a clinical breast exam and pelvic exam to check for any changes or abnormalities, such as a lump.
A clinical breast exam and pelvic exam is recommended once every year and is 100% covered by the Compass Rose Health Plan as a preventive care visit when seeing a network provider.
It is estimated that 3,700 lives would be saved, and 30,000 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease would be prevented each year if 90% of women received appropriate screenings for breast cancer and chlamydia.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4643365/
Pap Test
A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer rates have declined over the years, likely due to the availability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, not all cervical cancers are prevented by the vaccine, so it is important to continue getting screened.
There are two tests to screen for cervical cancer:
- Pap test
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) test
The type of test and frequency recommended for you depends on your age and medical history. Testing is typically performed as part of your well-woman exam and is free under the Compass Rose Health Plan when seeing a network provider.
Visit our resource page for more on cervical cancer risk factors and prevention.
Mammogram
Regular mammograms are the most useful tests for finding breast cancer in its early stages, when it is usually easier to treat. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer never have any signs or symptoms, and their cancer is found on a screening test, such as a mammogram.
Mammograms are X-ray images of the breasts designed to detect cancers and other changes in breast tissue. During a mammogram, your breasts are compressed between two firm surfaces to spread out the breast tissue. The X-ray captures images that are examined for signs of cancer.
The United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF), one of the nation’s leading influencers of preventive screening guidelines, recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your health care team can help determine your personal screening recommendations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 women ages 50 to 74 years had not received a mammogram in the past 2 years in 2022. Be sure to schedule your mammogram today if you are not up to date. Your first mammogram of the year is covered under preventive care, and completely free if done in-network.
Earn Reward Points for Cancer Screenings
High Option members can earn up to 100 reward points each for receiving a cervical cancer screening or mammogram.
Start Earning Rewards
Maintaining an Open Dialogue with Your Provider
Having conversations about personal matters related to your pelvic health can be uncomfortable. Finding a health care professional you trust and can have an open dialogue with may help to ensure all your concerns are addressed.It is important to be honest during your annual visit. Your health care team wants the best for you and can only help if they know what you are experiencing. Advocating for yourself is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy.
Access our tips for evaluating and choosing a provider
Schedule Your Annual Well-Woman Exam
If you’re not up to date on your recommended preventive care exams and screenings, make your appointment today.
Need a doctor? Search our provider directory to find someone who is in network.