Right now is a great time to take good care of your health. Learn about these topics that are especially important for women, including screenings and treatments that can have a lasting health impact on you and your family.
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Heart Disease refers to several types of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
It is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 310,661 women in 2021—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths.1 StatesAlthough there is a higher rate of cardiovascular disease among men, women are more likely to die after experiencing a heart attack. About 1 in 16 women aged 20 and older (6%) have coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease:2
See our Heart & Vascular Health page to learn more about colorectal cancer and the risk factors, symptoms and treatments:
1 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html
2 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/heart-truth/yes-you-can-prevent-heart-disease
Often, women do not have symptoms. When they do occur, symptoms may include:
Sometimes heart disease may not be diagnosed until you have other symptoms or emergencies, including:
Your doctor will perform a physical exam, including blood pressure and heart rate, ask about symptoms, and gather family medical history. Blood tests could be taken to check cardiac markers like a troponin; they may also do blood tests to check your cholesterol and triglycerides.
Noninvasive tests may be performed—including chest X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG), echocardiograms (ECHO), stress tests, and wearing a Holter monitor. Invasive testing may include cardiac catheterization to allow an inside view of possible blockage of heart vessels to help determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.
Call 911 if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.
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Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast when cells begin to grow out of control.
This cancer can start in different parts of the breast and not all types of breast cancer cause a lump in the breast. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women other than skin cancer. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but it also affects younger women, roughly 9% of new cases of breast cancer are found in women younger than 45 years of age.
In 2021 there were 272,454 new cases of female breast cancer in the United States. In 2022, 42,211 women died from breast cancer in the United States.
Men also get breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimated 2,800 new cases of breast cancer in men in the United States in 2025.1
For more information and statistics, visit:
Risk factors for breast cancer include:
There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all.
Schedule a doctor’s appointment for any of the following symptoms:
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors can do to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.
Screening for breast cancer using digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), also known as three-dimensional mammography, may be covered annually instead of conventional two-dimensional screening mammography for all women beginning at age 40. Under certain circumstances—if you have dense breast tissue, a prior diagnosis of breast cancer, or breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter)—it may be covered beginning at age 30.
Please contact Member Services for details.
Breast cancer has a high chance of being cured if diagnosed early. Treatment depends on the type of breast cancer and how far it has spread.
Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and/or radiation therapy.
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Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells that line the cervix (lower part of the uterus). Cancer starts when the cells begin to grow out of control.
The American Cancer Society estimates that, in the United States for 2025, about 13,360 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 4,320 people will die from cervical cancer.
Greater than 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Receiving the recommended HPV vaccine at age 11-12 can prevent genital warts and HPV cancers. decrease. Between 2008 and 2022 there was a 79% decrease in cervical precancer incidences in women screened between ages of 20-24, the age group most likely to have been vaccinated. PV vaccinations is one of the best ways to decrease your risk of cervical cancer.
For more information and statistics, visit:
Lower the risk for cervical cancer by getting regular and consistent screenings, starting at age 21. Pre-cancerous cells can be detected and treated to prevent cancer from developing.
Like many cancers, you may not experience any symptoms at all in earlier stages. Some symptoms that can be experienced are:
Two screening tests help prevent cervical cancer or detect it early:
Both tests can be done at the same time in a doctor’s office or clinic. The provider collects cells from the cervix to be looked at closely in the lab to find cancer and precancer.
Regular pap smear testing is recommended for early detection
Individuals with a cervix should get their first Pap test/smear at age 21. If test results are normal, the next test should be completed every three years.
Individuals 30 years old or older with a cervix, have three options:
Treatments include surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
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Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third most common cancer in men and women (excluding skin cancer). Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer.
Screening tests can find polyps so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage when treatment works best. Due to an increase incidence of colorectal cancer in adults younger than 50, the recommended age to begin colorectal cancer screening has been lowered to 45.
See our Colorectal Cancer page to learn more about colorectal cancer and the risk factors, symptoms and treatments:
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
Like many cancers, colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially in earlier more treatable stages this is why screening is so important. When people do have symptoms of colorectal cancer, these are some they experience:
There are several colorectal cancer screenings that can help find precancerous changes and detect cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable.
The table below shows the different types of screening tests that can be done. Talk with your doctor about which screening is right for you.
In adults younger than 45 and from 76-85 years old, the decision to screen for colorectal cancer should be an individual one, made by the patient and their primary care provider. This decision should take into account the person’s overall health and prior screening history to determine which test is the best.
Treatment depends on the type of colorectal cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Once diagnosed, additional testing will help determine the extent or stage of cancer to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
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Chlamydia is the most reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. It is caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis, which can be passed from person to person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Infections can occur in the mouth, reproductive organs, urethra, and/or rectum. In women, the most common place for infection is the cervix (the opening of the uterus).
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to long-term health problems and affect the ability to get pregnant. Chlamydia can lie dormant in the body for many years causing a low-grade infection without symptoms. It could potentially flare up and cause a symptomatic infection if you have another illness.
The following factors increase the risk of contracting chlamydia:
Chlamydia usually does not cause symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may appear from a few days to several weeks after infection. They may be very mild and can be mistaken for a urinary tract or vaginal infection.
The most common symptoms in women include:
A chlamydia test can be done on a urine sample (noninvasive) or on samples taken with a swab from the vagina, mouth, throat, rectum, or the area around the cervix. A yearly screening test is recommended for sexually active women 16 to 25 years old and for women 25 years or older who have one or more risk factors listed above.
This routine preventive screening is painless and is a covered benefit.
Treatment for chlamydia can include being prescribed an antibiotic like azithromycin single dose or doxycycline twice a day for 7-14 days. Take all medicine as directed. As soon as you find out that you have chlamydia, be sure to let your sex partner(s) know so they can also be tested and treated. Experts recommend that you tell everyone you've had sex with in the past two months. If you haven't had sex in the past two months, contact the last person you had sex with.
Chlamydia can be passed to sexual partners even during treatment. You should avoid sexual contact until you have finished treatment, and all sexual partners should as well. A three-month follow up test should be completed to ensure the infection has cleared up.
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Connect with a Maternity Nurse Care Manager!
Contact us as soon as you know you are pregnant so we can support you!
Members can connect with a Martin’s Point nurse care manager to receive personal support during pregnancy and after delivery. The Maternity Support Program is available to members who are pregnant or new mothers from the first day of pregnancy up to six to eight weeks after delivery. If you have questions or concerns about seeing your provider or what care you need, please contact our care management nurses.
Participation is free.
Please call us at 1-877-659-2403 to ask about a free incentive and to answer a few questions so we can get to know you.
As soon as you know you're pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor or certified midwife. Your first prenatal visit will provide information that can be used to check for any problems as your pregnancy progresses. It's also a good time to think about how you want to partner with your doctor or midwife.
It is also important to receive the recommended immunizations when you are pregnant. The Center for disease control and prevention (CDC) recommend having an influenza vaccine (flu shot) before or during pregnancy, depending on whether or not it is flu season during your pregnancy. Women are more likely to have a severe illness from the flu while pregnant, having a flu shot can provide protection from flu complications for you and your baby for several months.
The CDC also recommend a Tdap vaccine to protect against whooping cough during pregnancy. Mothers who receive Tdap create protective antibodies and pass them to their baby before bird to create some short-term protection against whooping cough. This is important because 7/10 deaths from whooping cough occur in children less than one year old.
Both the flu shot and the Tdap are considered safe and effective during pregnancy.
Additional prenatal care information along with an interactive online tool can be found here:
Keep up with your pregnancy journey in all trimester stages by using the guide below:
During the first weeks after giving birth, your body begins to heal and adjust to not being pregnant. This is called postpartum (or the postpartum period). Your body goes through many changes as you recover. These changes are different for every woman.
The first weeks after childbirth also are a time to bond with and set up a routine for caring for your baby. Your doctor will want to see you for a checkup 2-6 weeks after delivery. This is a good time to discuss any concerns, including birth control.
It is easy to get too tired and overwhelmed during the first weeks after childbirth. Take it easy on yourself. Your doctor will tell you how to care for your body as you recover.
The first few weeks after your baby is born can be a time of excitement—and of being very tired. You may look at your wondrous little baby and feel happy. But at the same time, you may feel exhausted from a lack of sleep and your new responsibilities.
Many women get the "baby blues" during the first few days after childbirth. The "baby blues" usually peak around the fourth day and then ease up in less than 2 weeks. If you have the blues for more than a few days, or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, call your doctor right away. You may have postpartum depression. This needs to be treated. Support groups and counseling can help. Sometimes medicine also can help.
Additional postpartum and newborn care information can be found here:
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Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and thins bones, increasing the risk of fractures (broken bones). Osteoporosis is considered a “silent” disease as people often are not aware they have it until they break a bone. Approximately 54 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis.
The most common sites of fracture in people with osteoporosis are hips, spine and wrists. These fractures can be life threatening or cause chronic pain or disability.
Additional osteoporosis information can be found here:
Non-controllable risk factors include:
Controllable risk factors include:
Osteoporosis often does not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
As the condition advances, you may have back pain, a loss of height, reduced grip strength, receding gums, or a bone that breaks more easily than expected.
A bone mineral density (BMD) test is a way to determine if you have osteoporosis. The most common is the DEXA or DXA test which measures how solid the bones are in certain areas of the body.
This test is safe and painless and provides information about your bone health. This test can be performed on different bones throughout your body such as your hips, spine, forearms or heels. Bone density tests are recommended for women 65 and older, if you have broken a bone after the age of 50 or you are between 50-64 years of age and have risk factors.
Although osteoporosis is a chronic condition, it is treatable. The goal of treatment is to keep your bones as strong as possible.
Treatment may consist of changing controllable risk factors and/or taking prescribed medications. The medications your provider may prescribe can either prevent further breakdown of bones or can help stimulate new bone formation. These medications can help reduce the risk of breaking a bone.
Bisphosphonates, for example, alendronate and risendronate, are a kind of osteoporosis medication that is often tried first. These medications should be taken as directed by your provider (once weekly or once monthly, etc.) and have a few important details about how to take them:
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis or get a bone fracture from falling from a standing height, speak with your doctor about what treatment option is best for you.
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Menopause is a natural biologic process for women and is defined as the end of the reproductive years. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone without a menstrual cycle for 12 months.
Menopause typically occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Symptoms of perimenopause can occur several years before menopause. During this time, women’s bodies produce less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
For women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy) but still have ovaries, the menopause process begins as the ovaries stop working and estrogen levels fall.
Additional menopause information can be found here:
Some women have no or few menopausal symptoms, while other women have more severe symptoms.
Menopausal symptoms can begin several years in advance of menopause and include:
Some non-medication approaches that may help ease symptom discomfort include:
There are some medications that can be prescribed to address some of the symptoms of menopause, including hormone replacement therapies and nonhormonal medications.
Hormone therapy can be either estrogen alone, or estrogen in combination with progestin. Estrogen medication comes in many forms, such as pills, skin patches, implants, and topically applied gels, creams, or sprays. Topical hormone therapy applied directly to the vagina can help with vaginal dryness while other formulations can help treat hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal symptoms.
Talk with your provider about your health history and risks of taking hormone therapy.
There are only two nonhormonal prescription medications FDA-approved to treat hot flashes, in addition to other medications used for other health problems which may also help with hot flashes.
If hormone treatments are not an option, ask your healthcare provider if any non-hormonal prescription medications may be appropriate to trial.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) herbs and supplements that claim to treat menopausal symptoms are available. It is unknown whether herbal or natural products are helpful in treating symptoms, as these products do not go through the same safety and effectiveness studies required of prescription drugs.
Always ask your provider before starting a new supplement as they may interact with your current medications.
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Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine and is most common in older adults, especially women.
It is estimated that more than 4 in 10 women over the age of 65 experience UI which can impact quality of life and affect physical and emotional well-being. Although age and sex are risk factors associated with urinary leakage, UI should not be considered as part of the normal aging process. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing this condition.
More urinary incontinence information can be found here:
Avoid and support bladder control problems by utilizing these strategies:
One of the least invasive forms of treatment are pelvic floor muscle exercises. Specially trained doctors and/or a physical therapist can help you get the most out of your pelvic floor muscle exercises by helping you strengthen your core muscles.
There are other practices that can be used as part of your treatment such as biofeedback. Biofeedback is a way for a therapist to measure your muscle strength and create an exercise program specific to your needs. Research has shown that women who had pelvic floor muscle training have fewer episodes of urinary leakage per day than those who have not.
Other treatment options can include medications, devices, and surgeries. Speak to your doctor to determine what treatment option is right for you.