It’s becoming clear that women with disabilities need to take charge of their own health and wellness, and knowing what sexual screening tests you need to discuss with your doctor is part of that process.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), if you are sexually active, the following three tests will help ensure your whole-body as well as sexual health. How often you need them will vary by your age and personal circumstances:
- Pap smear. According to AHRQ, once a woman becomes sexually active or reaches the age of 21, she should have a Pap smear every 1 to 3 years until the age of 65. After that, your health provider should counsel you on how often you need this test, which identifies the presence of cervical cancer.
- Test for Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections. Have a test for Chlamydia if you are 25 or younger. If you are older, talk to your doctor about the necessity and frequency of being tested. Also, ask whether you should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.
- HIV test. You should discuss HIV testing with your doctor if you:
- have had unprotected sex with multiple partners
-are pregnant
-have used or now use injection drugs
-exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do
-have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs
-are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases
-had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985
Women with disabilities are often sexually active as part of a normal, healthy life. Making sure you’re keeping up with the appropriate screening tests will ensure that your sexual relations enhance your life – without damaging your health.
