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Women’s reproductive and sexual health

Womanhood is a journey of a million moments. Exciting, confusing, awesome (and let’s be real, not-so-awesome, at times). From menstrual health to sexual health to family planning, or not, you can count on Aetna® to be there with you every step of the way.

Here, no topic is taboo. Let’s get real about women’s health.

Heavy periods. Mood swings. Night sweats. We’ve heard it — we’ve lived it. And the medical professionals across Aetna and CVS Health® are here to walk you through it.

 

Did you know that your Aetna plan may cover menstrual or menopause support?

Many MinuteClinic® at CVS® locations offer both support options, with services like PMS and menopause treatment, irregular period evaluations and birth control consultations. Most Aetna plans cover birth control at no extra cost, too.

 

Women’s health MinuteClinic services

 

Other health care professionals may be available as well. Just call the number on your ID card for more information.

Quality period products without the markup

 

As a CVS Health company, we’re proud to share that CVS Health has reduced the cost of its brand period products by 25 percent* to help increase access for all.

 

Shop menstrual support

 

If your plan includes an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance, you can use those funds on select period products and save even more. Stop into your local CVS® store or log in to your OTC account to order online.

Understanding endometriosis, PCOS, PMS and PMDD

Your menstrual cycle can affect all parts of you — your mind, mood, sleep, skin... the list goes on. Regular periods in the years between puberty and menopause are usually a sign that your body is working normally. Irregular or heavy, painful periods could be signs of a more serious condition. Let’s go over a few:

Life-saving screenings and vaccines are covered

 

Most Aetna medical plans cover these preventive services at no extra cost to you. This includes cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, and certain vaccines.*

What it is

Where it’s done

What it checks for

When to get it

Ongoing care

Pelvic and breast exam

Gynecologist/PCP office

Physical changes or concerns

Usually 3 years after being sexually active or by age 21, whichever comes first

Annually

Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear)

Gynecologist/PCP office

Cancerous or pre-cancerous cells

For women ages 21 to 29: Pap smear every 3 years

 

For women ages 30 to 65: Pap smear every 3 years; or pap smear every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus testing in combination with cytology (co-testing)

Annually until age 30; may move to every 3 years after

Breast cancer screening (Mammogram)

Imaging center

Changes in breast health, including suspicious lumps that could be cancerous

Age 40 to 74 (earlier than 40 if breast cancer runs in your family)

Every 1 to 2 years based on the recommendations of your doctor

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Gynecologist, pediatrician and PCP offices; retail health clinics, like MinuteClinic at CVS locations

Prevents, rather than checks for, HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer

Recommended at 11 or 12 years old; but can get anytime age 9 to 45; speak with your doctor about vaccines if you’re between age 27 and 45

2 to 3 doses, depending on age

What it is

Pelvic and breast exam

Where it’s done

Gynecologist/PCP office

What it checks for

Physical changes or concerns

When to get it

Usually 3 years after being sexually active or by age 21, whichever comes first

Ongoing care

Annually

What it is

Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear)

Where it’s done

Gynecologist/PCP office

What it checks for

Cancerous or pre-cancerous cells

When to get it

For women ages 21 to 29: Pap smear every 3 years

 

For women ages 30 to 65: Pap smear every 3 years; or pap smear every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus testing in combination with cytology (co-testing)

Ongoing care

Annually until age 30; may move to every 3 years after

What it is

Breast cancer screening (Mammogram)

Where it’s done

Imaging center

What it checks for

Changes in breast health, including suspicious lumps that could be cancerous

When to get it

Age 40 to 74 (earlier than 40 if breast cancer runs in your family)

Ongoing care

Every 1 to 2 years based on the recommendations of your doctor

What it is

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Where it’s done

Gynecologist, pediatrician and PCP offices; retail health clinics, like MinuteClinic at CVS locations

What it checks for

Prevents, rather than checks for, HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer

When to get it

Recommended at 11 or 12 years old; but can get anytime age 9 to 45; speak with your doctor about vaccines if you’re between age 27 and 45

Ongoing care

2 to 3 doses, depending on age

 

Some cancers, like ovarian cancer, don’t have good screenings. That’s why it’s so important to know your risk factors and pay attention to symptoms that happen frequently or for several weeks, like abdominal bloating; pelvic or abdominal pain; difficulty eating; feeling full after eating small portions; urinating frequently or feeling the urge to pee. Talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your body that aren’t normal for you.

 

Find more preventive tests, screenings and vaccines

Legal notices

Aetna®, CVS Pharmacy, Inc. and MinuteClinic, LLC (which either operates or provides certain management support services to MinuteClinic®-branded walk-in clinics) are part of the CVS Health® family of companies. Aetna is the brand name for products and services provided by Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates.

Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.

Also of interest: