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SUMMER 2024
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Self-Care Includes Preventive Care

WOMEN'S HEALTH GUIDELINES

Take advantage of the power of prevention by staying current with the recommended screenings and tests appropriate to your age, gender, medical history, current health, and family history. Blue Shield has compiled the following guidelines to help you keep track of what’s needed and when.  

Immunizations & Screenings for Women ages 20 and Above

Flu, annual Recommended
Hepatitis A For individuals with risk factors; for individuals seeking protection
Hepatitis B Recommended 2, 3, or 4 dose series depending on vaccine or condition for ages 19 to 59
HPV (human papillomavirus) Recommended for all adults through 26 years of age. 2 or 3-dose series depending on age at initial vaccination
Meningococcal For individuals with risk factors present
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Once, without proof of immunity or if no previous second dose
Pneumococcal (pneumonia) For individuals with risk factors
Td booster (tetanus, diphtheria) Recommended once every 10 years
Varicella (chicken pox) Recommended for adults without evidence of immunity; 2-dose series 4-8 weeks apart
Zoster (shingles) Two-dose series of RZV 2-6 months apart (Age 50 and above)
Breast Cancer Recommended biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 years and older
Cervical Cancer Recommended screening every 3 years with cervical cytology by Pap tests for women 21 to 29 years of age. For women ages 30-65 years, recommended screening every 3 years with cervical cytology alone, every 5 years with high-risk HPV testing
Colorectal cancer Screening for adults ages 45-75
Topics you may want to discuss with your doctor:
Exercise

Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes per day) can reduce the risks of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes.

  • Over 40: Consult physician before starting new vigorous physical activity.
Nutrition
  • Know your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and cholesterol level. Modify your diet accordingly.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Limit fat and calories. Eat fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains every day.
  • Optimal calcium intake for women between ages 25 and 50 is estimated to be 1,000 mg/day.
  • Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle development, function, and preservation.
Sexual Health
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV prevention,16 practice safer sex (use condoms) or abstinence.
  • Avoid unintended pregnancy; use contraception.
  • Prior to beginning PrEP, the following tests are recommended: HIV testing, serologic testing for hepatitis viruses B and C, periodic serum creatinine testing, periodic pregnancy testing, and periodic screening for sexually transmitted bacterial infections
  • Ongoing follow-up counseling and monitoring every 3 months is covered without cost-sharing. 
Mental Health and Substance use disorder
  • Stop smoking. Limit alcohol consumption. Avoid alcohol or drug use while driving.
  • Mental health and substance use disorders is defined as those conditions listed in the most recent edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases or in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Other topics for discussion
  • Fall prevention. Possible risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for post- menopausal women.
  • The dangers of drug interactions.
  • Physical activity.
  • Glaucoma eye exam by an eye care professional (i.e., an ophthalmologist, optometrist) for those age 65 and older.

Keep Your Eyes Healthy for Life 

A WellVision Exam® from a VSP network doctor helps detect the signs of health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol—along with other eye and health issues.

More than 4 million Americans over the age of 40 have some form of vision impairment. Vision changes are normal with age. Even if you have 20/20 vision, annual eye exams are important because eye doctors can spot signs of chronic conditions before symptoms appear.

Don’t Wait until there’s a vision issue to schedule an eye exam! Yearly eye exams can help you stay healthy at any age. Shop When and Where You Want With so many in-network choices, VSP® makes it easy to get the most out of your benefits, whether you prefer to shop for eyewear in person or online.

Shop When and Where You Want

Shop at your doctor’s office. As a VSP member, you have access to private practice providers, where you’ll find a wide selection of frames to choose from.

Shop at a retail store. Visionworks is in-network! You can easily use your VSP benefits when you visit one of the more than 700 retail Visionworks locations nationwide. Visionworks has a 100-Day Guarantee. If you are dissatisfied in any way with a complete pair of glasses purchase, it may be returned to Visionworks within 100 days of original purchase date. Visionworks will give you your money back or replace the original pair with another pair of glasses with frames and lenses of your choice that are of equal or lower value.*

Shop online and in-network.Prefer to shop online? Eyeconic is the VSP online eyewear store where you can connect your benefits and see your savings in real time. Plus, you’ll save 20% off any out-of-pocket costs just for being a VSP member! Your benefits go even further at a VSP Premier Edge™ location.

Look for the “Premier Edge” banner on the VSP site when you search for an eye doctor in your area, or visit eyeconic.com to connect your benefits and shop online.

*NOTE: The returned pair of glasses must be in new and original condition. This guarantee does not apply to broken or damaged glasses not consistent with ordinary wear. Not all vision challenges can be completely corrected with eyewear. Every purchase must be paid in full at the time of sale.

VSP logo Find a VSP Doctor Visit eyeconic

CONTACT: FAQ

woman with contact lens

#1: How Long Can I Wear My Contact Lenses?

Most people can wear their contact lenses for up to 16 hours a day. However, if you feel like your eyes are dry or your contacts are irritating your eyes after only 8 to 10 hours, you may want to remove them.

Keep in mind that contact lenses have recommended life spans as well. It is a good idea to look at the recommended life span for your contacts and stick to that. Some contact lenses are good to wear for two weeks to a full month. There are also disposable contacts lenses that are good for one-time use. Following the recommended life span of your contacts can help reduce your risk of eye infections.

#2: How Long Will It Take for Me to Get Used to Wearing Contact Lenses?

Unfortunately, there is no standard number of hours or days before a person gets used to wearing contact lenses; it varies from person to person. However, most people often say that they are used to how contact lenses feel in their eyes after a few days. After wearing your contact lenses for one or two weeks, most people have adjusted to the routine of putting in their contact lenses and taking them out. If after a week, you are still having discomfort wearing your contacts, you may want to get in touch with your eye doctor. Your eye doctor may recommend a different type of contact lens that might be more comfortable for you.

#3: Can I Clean My Contact Lenses with Tap Water?

In order to minimize the risk of an eye infection, it is important to keep your contacts clean. Contact lens solutions and cleansers are made specifically to keep your contacts clean and in the best condition possible.

Using water to clean your contacts may seem like a safe alternative, but it is not! You should not clean your contact lenses with tap water. Your contact lenses absorb whatever liquid they come in contact with. Water can contain impurities that your contacts could absorb. If you put a contaminated contact lens into your eye, you could develop a serious eye infection. Stick to the sterile contact lens solutions and cleansers that are recommended for your contact lenses.

#4: Can I Buy Contact Lenses Without a Prescription?

You may realize that your vision could be improved if you had glasses or contact lenses. Although there are many options for purchasing contact lenses, online or in a physical store, a contact lens prescription is required in order to buy contacts.

Eye prescriptions are usually good for one calendar year. The main reason you need a prescription is due to the fact that contact lenses are considered a medical device by the Food and Drug Administration. The contact lenses you will buy will need to be compatible with your vision needs. Schedule a contact lens eye exam with your eye doctor to ensure that you get the contact lenses that are best for you.

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