Q&A WITH WESLEY WILLIAMS

Regularly scheduled well-woman exams can save lives when threats are caught early

Q: What is the well-woman exam and why is it important for women to schedule one annually?

A: To identify health concerns found in women before they become life threatening, it is recommended they receive regular preventive checks. The well-woman exam is a physical and discussion about your health, tailored to your age, family history and past health history. The exam screens for health problems unique to women, such as bone-mass measurements for osteoporosis, mammograms for breast cancer and Pap smears for cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor on when to begin screenings based on your age and risk. Going several years between exams can allow health problems to go undetected and once-treatable diseases to become life threatening.

Q: If you are recovering from labor, how soon should you schedule your postpartum exam?

A: To ensure your body is physically recovering from labor and to address your emotional needs going forward, you should see your health care provider within six weeks of giving birth for a postpartum exam. This is a time to address postpartum issues like breast-feeding, exercise, sex, birth control and work. This physical exam will assist in the early detection of possible problems. As women have a higher risk of serious complications after giving birth than any time during pregnancy, a postpartum exam is crucial to detect incomplete healing, an overlooked infection or undiagnosed postpartum depression.

Q: What health care benefit options are tailored specifically to women?

A: Depending on your health insurance and provider, preventive services like your well-woman exam may be covered by insurance with no out-ofpocket costs. It is important to research your health care options to ensure your health plan offers coverage tailored to your needs.

PAULA BURKES, BUSINESS WRITER