The Importance of Self-Care During the COVID-19 Crisis

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the way you access routine and urgent health care services. 

Because infection prevention and services related to emergency care have become a priority, many people are left with limited options for handling conditions and concerns that are not life-threatening. 

You may find yourself relying on self-care to maintain your overall well-being. Key to self-care includes following recommendations for physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, and proper respiratory hygiene to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19.  

For women, your self-care includes an additional set of considerations related to protection and improving sexual and reproductive health. 

Our OB/GYNs and support staff at The Association for Women’s Health Care provide expert guidance and advice for how you can protect your sexual and reproductive health. Our women’s health experts partner with you to ensure you’re not alone in your self-care efforts.

Here’s some information we put together to help you with appropriate self-care during the COVID-19 crisis.

Seek information from trusted sources 

Don’t confuse information based on hearsay, rumors, or friendly advice with evidence-based practices. You can access many types of self-care actions without a prescription or medical referral, but limit self-care to procedures and treatments that are proven and appropriate for your condition.

At The Association for Women’s Health Care, we provide reliable support and advice via telephone, email, or telemedicine consultations when in-person appointments are unavailable or unnecessary.

Practice safe sex

When protecting your sexual health, remember that COVID-19 can be transmitted through close contact such as kissing. 

If your partner has been exposed to COVID-19 or shows symptoms of illness, reduce your risk of infection by avoiding sexual interaction until their health status is clarified. While COVID-19 has not yet been found in vaginal fluids, it has been detected in semen, so take precautions.

And remember that the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, remains the same regardless of global health concerns. Protect yourself and the health of your partner by using condoms. 

Condoms are readily available from pharmacies, grocery stores, and even online vendors during the pandemic.

Protect against an unwanted pregnancy

There’s no reason to become lax with birth control during the COVID-19 pandemic. All modern methods of contraception remain safe and effective and don’t increase your risk of infection. 

We can provide you with prescriptions for new or ongoing contraceptives if you give us a call. Online pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to your door on a preset schedule so you don’t run out. 

Some insurance providers cover multi-month prescriptions to reduce the demand for pharmacy services. You can even opt for at-home depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) shots, which provide 12 weeks of pregnancy protection. 

If you can’t access or don’t want prescription contraceptives, opt for a nonprescription method such as condoms or spermicides. You can also self-administer emergency contraceptive pills, though this is not recommended for ongoing use.

Use telemedicine for pregnancy support

Maintaining the recommended schedule of prenatal appointments is crucial for your health and the health of your unborn baby. 

To reduce the number of times you have to visit one of our offices, your physician may recommend using digital health technologies, such as telemedicine visits, for routine examinations if your pregnancy isn’t considered high-risk.

When it’s time to give birth, the World Health Organization advises that the risks associated with an unattended birth outweigh the risks associated with contracting COVID-19 at a health facility. You and your baby will have the best outcomes when your birth is attended by a health care professional.

Find out more about self-care interventions to protect your sexual and reproductive health. Schedule an appointment online or call one of our convenient offices in Chicago or Northbrook, Illinois, today.

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