Getting married to your best friend and the man you love is one of the highlights of a lifetime! As you plan your wedding, don’t forget to include a health exam on your list of things to do before that special day. Paying attention to your health and planning for the future will help make sure you are a healthy bride as you prepare to say “I do”.
At your visit you should:
- Discuss your overall health and review your specific risk for certain infections or cancers. A medical examination will be done and may include a Pap smear, pelvic exam and/or screening laboratory tests. A preventive physical exam is usually well-covered by insurance companies because of the Affordable Care Act. Attention to preventing illness and disease means living a longer and healthier life. At this visit, you should review your general health and vaccination status, discuss personal and family medical history and talk about stress management and lifestyle habits that will promote health and a sense of well-being.
- Discuss contraception and your future plan for starting a family. Remember, contraception should be started one to three months before the wedding. You can usually be covered under your parent’s insurance up until age 26 but if you become pregnant, the newborn usually ISN’T covered.
- Review your menstrual cycle. If you discover that your period is due during your honeymoon, advance planning, and oral birth control pills are usually effective at off-setting your cycle so this doesn’t affect your honeymoon.
- Discuss any special precautions you may need to take if you are planning a honeymoon outside the U.S. if you have problems with motion sickness or have a history of bladder infections.
- NOTE: Every insurance plan is written differently, so it is helpful to try to become familiar with your specific plan before your visit in case you have questions regarding coverage.
Congratulations as you begin this wonderful, new adventure in life. We’re here to help you prepare for this chapter in your life and to help keep you healthy through every step of the way.
