It’s currently Women’s Health Week, and if you’re a woman in your 20s, there are several steps you can take to enhance your well-being. Consider starting these discussions during your annual well-woman visit using the checklist provided below.
A well-woman visit, conducted yearly with your doctor, serves as a preventive checkup. It’s an opportunity to assess your overall well-being, discuss your aspirations, and devise strategies to achieve your health objectives. Apart from conversing with your healthcare provider about your health status, you might also require specific vaccines and medical assessments. Notably, not all tests are needed each year.
Currently, undergoing a yearly well-woman visit won’t impose any additional costs if you have existing health insurance. (However, this could change if the new administration successfully alters aspects of the Affordable Care Act.) Most private health plans cover select preventive care services, including annual well-woman visits, without charging copays, coinsurance, or requiring deductible fulfillment. In the absence of insurance, you can still access free or low-cost medical care from local health centers.
While it’s easy to declare intentions like adopting a healthier diet, quitting smoking, or initiating an exercise routine, implementation is more challenging. You can begin by following personalized recommendations at myhealthfinder.
Every day, strive to:
- Eat healthily. Seek tips at ChooseMyPlate.gov to get started.
- Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
- Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep.
- Attain and sustain a healthy weight.
- Seek assistance to quit smoking or refrain from starting.
- Limit alcohol intake to one drink or less daily.
- Refrain from illegal drug use and misuse of prescription drugs.
- Wear a helmet while biking and use protective gear for sports.
- Fasten your seatbelt while in vehicles.
- Avoid texting while driving.
- Consume 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid.
When conversing with your doctor, discuss:
- Your plans for having children in the upcoming year or selecting appropriate birth control.
- Matters related to your weight, diet, and physical activity.
- Usage of tobacco and alcohol.
- Any instances of violence in your life.
- Depression and other mental health worries.
- Family health history, particularly regarding cancer.
- Strategies for safeguarding your skin from sun exposure and tanning risks.
- Tests for blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Vaccinations for flu, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
- HIV testing.
- HPV vaccination (26 and younger).
- Pap smear (21 and older).
- Screening for sexually transmitted infections (including chlamydia and gonorrhea tests for women 24 and younger). Do not assume this is an automatic part of your well-woman visit; it is not.
- Tuberculosis assessment.
If you’re pregnant, prenatal care can also constitute a well-woman visit. Pregnancy involves specific tests to monitor your and your baby’s health. Check out the Women’s Health pregnancy section for guidance on actions you can take before, during, and after pregnancy to ensure a healthy beginning for your baby and your own well-being.
Do not neglect the health of your hair during this decade. Your 20s are a period of heightened hair productivity, with potential growth spanning up to six years. This phase fosters strong and lengthy hair growth. Yet, avoid excessive heat styling, subpar hair care products, and drastic color changes.
Additionally, this decade is crucial for skincare. Your skin is at its healthiest, boasting robust collagen support and a youthful radiance. Even though any skin damage might not be evident yet, maintaining a fresh glow, occasional acne breakouts may be a concern. To address this, evade dehydrating products that strip your skin of natural oils. Choose a moisturizer with SPF 15 or 20 and apply it to your face, neck, and chest.
