Reproductive Health

Programs & Resources

· Health Screenings

· Birth Control Services

· Pre/Interconceptional Health

· STD Testing & Information

· Wisconsin Well Woman Program

· Reproductive Health Education

Health Screenings

Pap Tests

How often should you get a Pap test?

· If you are younger than 30 years old, you should get a Pap test every year.

· If you are age 30 or older and have had three normal Pap tests for three years in a row, talk to your doctor about spacing out Pap tests to every two or three years.

· If you are age 65 to 70 and have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the last 10 years, ask your doctor if you can stop having Pap tests.

You should have a Pap test every year no matter how old you are if:

· You have a weakened immune system because of organ transplant, chemotherapy or steroid use

· Your mother was exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant

· You are HIV-positive

Facts on Cervical cancer screening and Pap tests:

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/

US Department of Health and Human Services:

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm

Breast Self-Exams (BSE)

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here's what you should look for:

· Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color.

· Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: 

· dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin

· a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)

· redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side—from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

From:   http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp

BSE LINKS: 

ThThe Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation website offers video tutorials on how to do BSE and what to look for:

htthttp://www.komen.org/bse/

BSE and breast cancer facts: 

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/breast/breast.html

Mammograms

Screening Tests for Women of Different Ages²

Between 1996 and 2000, 21 women died from breast cancer in Pierce County out of 69 total cases.  In Wisconsin, 32% of all new cancer cases in women are breast cancer; 16% of deaths due to cancer are caused by breast cancer.  Cervical cancers accounts for 2% of new cases and 1% of deaths.  http://www.cancer.org/downloads/COM/wisconsin_facts_and_figures.pdf

The Reproductive Health Program operates its main office at 174 South Riverwalk Street in River Falls but offers the full range of services throughout Pierce County. 

For more information call 715-425-8003 or 1-800-425-8003.

Birth Control Services

The Reproductive Health Program operates its main office at 174 South Riverwalk Street in River Falls but offers the full range of services throughout Pierce County. 

For more information call 715-425-8003 or 1-800-425-8003.

Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Program:

This program provides contraceptive services and reproductive health care for those who meet the income requirements, but are not receiving Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare, or Healthy Start.  http://www.hcet.org/resource/FPWaiver.htm

To see if you might be eligible for the Family Planning Waiver Program, or to apply, try using ACCESS.

ACCESS is an online tool for determining if you are eligible for FoodShare, BadgerCare, Medicaid, SeniorCare, the Family Planning Waiver Program and other health and nutrition programs. 

1.   1.   Go to:  https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/
        On that page, click a button to choose the tool you would like to use:

·   Am I eligible?   ·      Apply for benefits  · Check my benefits         · Common questions

2.  Follow the instructions on the screen—your information will stay private and secure

Informational Links: 

CDC information on contraception:  http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/Contraception.htm

US Department of Health & Human Services information on birth control methods:  http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birthcont.htm

Pregnancy Testing

For a confidential pregnancy test, counseling and referral call 715-425-8003

or 1-800-425-8003.

Pre/Interconceptional Health

Whether you’re planning a baby now, or may want to become pregnant some time in the future, it’s never too soon to start preparing.  You and your partner make the decision to become parents—the responsibility is yours!  If you are having sex and not using some form of effective birth control, there are steps you should take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Health Status

· Eat right & maintain a healthy weight.  Being overweight or underweight at the start of a pregnancy can affect your baby.

· Taking a one-a-day vitamin will ensure you get plenty of folic acid.

· Visit your dentist on a regular basis—poor oral health can lead to poor birth outcomes.

Health Risks

· Avoid tobacco, alcohol & other drugs.

· Hazards at work or in the home, such as chemicals or radiation can be harmful if you’re planning a baby.

· Some medications can cause birth defects—speak with your provider.

· Infectious diseases, like STDs, can be passed to your baby.

Medical History

· It’s important to know your own medical history, your partner’s, your family’s and your partner’s family’s.  Genetics play a big role.

· Are you current on recommended vaccinations?

Health Care Provider

· Find a regular health care provider.

· Ask about steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy—whether you’re ready or not.

Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP)

The Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) provides free health checkups for women who are uninsured or underinsured and between the ages 35-64. This program provides:

                                           Screening Tests for Women of Different Ages²

                                                    Income Eligilbility Guidelines
                                       250% of Federal Poverty Level

04/01/2009 - 03/31/2010

*Net taxable income for families and self-employed persons.
 

For more information call 715-425-8003 or 1-800-425-8003.

Reproductive Health Education

Guttmacher Institute Facts on Pierce County (2002)

http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/wisconsin.html

WISCONSIN

Statehealthfacts.org

Of U.S. women who use a reversible method of contraception, 24% each year obtain family planning services from a publicly funded clinic or a private doctor reimbursed by Medicaid. If these subsidized contraceptive services were not available:

• Women who currently use them would have an estimated 1.3 million additional unplanned pregnancies annually.
• Of these women, 29% would be aged 15-19
• 67% would involve never-married women
• 61% would involve women with a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level
• An estimated 632,300 of these pregnancies would end in induced abortion, an increase of 40% over the current national level
• Another 533,800 pregnancies would result in unintended births
• Some 76,400 of these would be births to families already receiving public assistance, and 64,100 would be to families that would become eligible for public assistance because of the birth
• Another 197,000 would be to women whose families would not receive public assistance, but would be eligible for Medicaid coverage of pregnancy, delivery and newborn care

• For every dollar spent to provide publicly funded contraceptive services, an average of $3.00 was saved in Medical costs for pregnancy-related health care and medical care for newborns.

From:  Impact of publicly funded contraceptive services on unintended pregnancies and implications for Medicaid expenditures.  Forrest JD, Samara R.  Fam Plann Perspect. 1996 Sep-Oct;28(5):188-95.