Women’s Health Month: Take Control of Your Health With At-Home Testing

May is Women’s Health Month, an important time to remind ourselves of the importance of taking care of our health as women. From reproductive health to heart disease, there are many unique health concerns that women face throughout their lives. Regular health testing and preventive care can help identify potential issues early on and lead to better health outcomes. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of diagnostic testing and how women can take their health into their own hands.

Why Women’s Health Testing is Important

Health testing is a crucial component of preventive care, allowing individuals to identify potential health issues before they become more serious. For women, regular health testing can help detect a variety of health concerns, such as heart disease, pre-diabetes and diabetes, low vitamin D levels, heart health, thyroid function, cortisol levels, ovarian function and fertility. Additionally, women are more likely to develop certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases, so regular testing is important to detect these conditions early.

One common health issue that affects many women is UTIs. UTIs are infections that occur in the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, kidneys, and uterus. UTIs are more common in women than men, with approximately 50-60% of women experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime, and up to 40% of women will experience recurrent infections. A recurrent infection is defined as two UTIs in 6 months or 3 in a year. Testing is recommended to diagnose a UTI as the infections can cause significant discomfort and pain, as well as urgency and frequency with urination, and if left untreated, can lead to more serious complications such as kidney damage.  In some cases, a healthcare provider may also perform a physician exam to look for signs of infection, such as pain and tenderness. 

How UTI Testing Works

UTI testing is performed to confirm the presence of bacteria causing the signs of infection. Typically, standard UTI testing involves a urine sample, which is analyzed in a laboratory for the presence of e.coli. This is the most common bacteria found in UTIs. 

Women who are at higher risk of developing UTIs or have a history of UTIs, may benefit from more accessible testing. Additionally, women who experience symptoms of a UTI, such as pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, or cloudy or strong-smelling urine, should seek testing as soon as possible.

ixlayer Partners with MyUTI 

10 million people in the United States suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs) each year, making it the second most common infection diagnosed in the country and represents a top reason for telehealth and urgent care visits. MyUTI was looking for a technology solution to make life easier for women that suffer from frequent and chronic UTIs – a platform for a  better women’s health experience. Very much in line with ixlayer’s mission, the goal was to make UTI testing more accessible by providing reliable testing solutions and support. 

Through the ixlayer platform, myUTI customers can easily create an account online, register and activate their test kit, follow step-by-step instructions to complete the sample collection, and obtain personalized results with effective treatment options from the comfort of their own home.  Patients are able to track the status of their kit all the way from when it’s sent to the lab for processing, until they receive an email notification to view their results online. The lab results help customers get a better understanding of their infection and the targeted antibiotics for treatment. Each customer is also provided with directions on next steps to get care, whether that is easily downloading results to share with a physician or being connected to a telehealth provider 

Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Health

While health testing is crucial for detecting potential health issues, it’s equally important for women to feel empowered to advocate for their own health and testing. This means staying informed about potential health concerns and seeking out testing and preventive care when necessary.

One way to take control of your own health is to stay informed about your personal health history and risk factors. This includes knowing your family history of health conditions, as well as any personal risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, or sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, women should be aware of their own reproductive health, including menstrual cycles, birth control, and menopause.

Women can also take control of their health by seeking out preventive care, such as regular health exams and screenings. This includes getting regular Pap tests and mammograms for cervical and breast cancer, as well as cholesterol and blood pressure screenings for heart disease. Women should also discuss their personal health history and risk factors with their healthcare provider to determine which tests and screenings are appropriate for them.

Empowering women to take charge of their health is a critical aspect of preventive care, and screening tests are an essential component of this approach. Clinical guidelines recommend various types of screening tests based on a woman’s age and risk factors to ensure timely detection and prevention of health issues.

For women that are 21-29 years old, a Pap smear test is recommended every three years to identify any abnormal cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. Women between 30-65 years should undergo both a Pap smear and an HPV test every five years to detect the human papillomavirus, the primary cause of cervical cancer. Mammograms are recommended for women 50+ and should be repeated every two years. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may need to start screening earlier or more frequently.

In addition, regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and diabetes screening are crucial for women of all ages to prevent chronic diseases and maintain overall health. By adhering to these clinical guidelines, women can take proactive measures to prevent or detect any health issues early on, ensuring optimal health and well-being.

In addition to seeking out preventive care, women can also take advantage of at-home health testing options. These options, such as at-home UTI testing kits, allow women to test for potential health issues in the privacy of their own homes. This can be particularly helpful for women who may not have access to regular healthcare or who prefer the convenience and privacy of at-home testing.