Before You Get Married - Getting Your Marriage Off to a Healthy Start

Getting married is a special, exciting, and busy time that most women dream of from the time they are little girls. But there is more to getting married than flowers, dresses, and saying "I do." Before you marry the love of your life, you should have a few health checks to make sure that you are in tiptop shape health wise.

• If you haven't already been having yearly Pap smears and GYN exams, now is a good time to schedule a visit with a gynecologist. You should have a Pap smear, and a complete pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities.
  
  
• Now is the time to discuss your plans for either contraception or potential pregnancies. Your health care provider can help you decide which type of birth control is best for you, as well as for your future fertility.
  
  
• Genetic testing is sometimes desired before marriage for certain couples whose plans include the possibility of having children. Your health care providers are best able to help you and your spouse decide if genetic testing is necessary.
  
  
• Some couples choose to be childless and may decide that they desire either tubal ligation or vasectomy, even before the marriage takes place. Other couples who have previously undergone permanent sterilization may wish to have either tubal ligation or vasectomy reversal.
  
  
• Unless you and your future spouse are both virgins, now is an excellent time to be tested for HIV and other STDs. Even if you or your future spouse has had only one sexual experience, it is critical that these tests are performed. Undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease can have a devasting effect if pregnancy is part of your future plans.
  
  
• A complete general physical exam that includes a chest x-ray, laboratory testing, and discussion about your family medical history and potential health risks is important for both you and your future spouse. Make sure that your immunizations are up-to-date at this appointment.
  
  
• If you plan to honeymoon outside the U.S., you should discuss any special precautions that you may need to take depending on the country you plan to visit.

If after all your wedding planning is done, you discover that your period is due during your honeymoon, talk to your health care provider about using contraceptives to delay the onset of menstruation. Many health care providers now prescribe long-term use of the Pill to reduce or eliminate menstruation.