Women's Health

At VNA, providers manage your physical and emotional well-being throughout every stage of your life. They provide routine care and are involved in the prevention and early detection of potential health issues. Your healthcare provider will:

• Conduct annual wellness exams and regular screenings including colorectal cancer and HIV
• Provide vaccination services including for flu and Hepatitis B
• Provide care for chronic medical issues including high blood pressure and diabetes for a better quality of life
• Treat various health issues including illnesses, infections, and injuries
• Assess for mental & behavioral health issues including anxiety and depression
• Provide guidance regarding appropriate nutrition and fitness needs
• Refer you for specialist care if necessary
• Discuss your reproductive life plan and any other health concerns

Women also face some unique health risks. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, menstruation, menopause and pregnancy are all unique to women.

At VNA Health, we have doctors and nurse practitioners who can provide high-quality healthcare services to women of all ages. You can find the following services at VNA:

Obstetrics & Gynecology

VNA has a team of doctors and nurse practitioners who are trained in treating diseases and disorders related to the reproductive system in women. This includes any issues with the major female organs – the breasts, the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. They conduct regular checkups and screening tests to detect early signs of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other deadly diseases.

A gynecologist can also provide special gynecology care and assistance during childbirth. These types of specialists are called obstetrician-gynecologists, or OB-GYNs for short. Many women between the ages of 18 and 45 use an OB-GYN as their main healthcare specialist. At VNA, some of these services are provided by a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).

Here are some reasons you may visit an OB/GYN or WHNP:

• For your annual well-woman exam
• Any discomfort or pain in the lower belly
• Issues related to your periods
• Unusual bleeding or discharge from the vagina

Women’s Health Services And Procedures

Here are some of the services you may be scheduled for at VNA.

Mammograms

A mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast used to check for signs of cancer. Some forms of breast cancer take years to reach the stage where you can see or feel lumps in your breast. A mammogram can often find such cancers 3 years in advance.

Women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of catching this potentially deadly disease at some point in their life, usually after the age of 45. Annual mammograms are a vital defense against breast cancer.

Pelvic Exams

Along with mammograms, this is yet another crucial component of an annual well-woman exam. Pelvic exams include internal and external check-ups of the vagina, uterus, and cervix. Doctors look for physical signs of sexually transmitted diseases, and to assess overall gynecological health.

Pelvic exams may also include a special procedure called the Pap test. It involves collecting samples from inside the uterus. The samples are then tested for signs of cervical cancer – a deadly disease if left undiscovered and untreated for long.

Why Preventive Healthcare Is Important For Women

Diseases like cancer have different stages. In the later stages, treatment is harder, more expensive, and comes with a lower chance of success. Prevention is always the wiser option when it comes to deadly diseases like breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Annual well-woman exams with a gynecologist can significantly improve your reproductive health and help detect signs of cancer.

Ideally, you should have well-woman visits at least once per year. Apart from catching diseases in the earlier stages, these visits also help give you more insights into your body. Women experience  changes to their reproductive system throughout the course of their lives.

Well-woman visits give you a chance to talk to your doctor about any changes and seek guidance on how to best cope with them. Your healthcare provider also uses these visits to give advice on appropriate lifestyle changes which can further improve your long-term health.

In addition to preventive care, VNA provides women with access to affordable comprehensive care for their health and well being.

Women’s Health And Insurance Coverage

In recent years, access to women’s healthcare services has become easier than ever. Most managed care and commercial insurance plans cover the cost of mammograms, pap smears, and annual wellness exams. It doesn’t matter if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or any private insurance plan.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are Federal and state-level programs are available which cover the cost of these services, such as the Illinois Breast And Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP). Through IBCCP, VNA offers these services to eligible women living in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, and Will counties. Your eligibility for these services will be determined when scheduling your appointment. You must visit a VNA provider prior to scheduling a mammogram.

Funding provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.