Six Tips for a Healthy Cervix

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month.

Don’t Neglect Your Cervix - Did you know that this month is Cervical Health Awareness Month? What do you know about your cervical health and how to protect it? Read more about what you can do now.—Kellee Terrell(Photo: Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Don’t Neglect Your Cervix - Did you know that this month is Cervical Health Awareness Month? What do you know about your cervical health and how to protect it? Read more about what you can do now.—Kellee Terrell(Photo: Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis

Why Cervical Health Matters - Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus (the place where babies grow). Your cervix connects the uterine cavity and part of your vagina and is where the sperm travels to fertilize your eggs. Some health issues that can affect your cervix are inflammation, growths and cervical cancer. (Photo: Galvezo/Corbis)

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Why Cervical Health Matters - Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus (the place where babies grow). Your cervix connects the uterine cavity and part of your vagina and is where the sperm travels to fertilize your eggs. Some health issues that can affect your cervix are inflammation, growths and cervical cancer. (Photo: Galvezo/Corbis)

Wrap It Up - Using condoms protects your cervix and body from STDs including HPV (which can cause cervical cancer) and HIV. Untreated STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can increase the inflammation in your cervix, cause infertility and increase your risk of contracting HIV. Women living with HIV/AIDS have an increased chance of developing cervical cancer compared to HIV-negative women.  (Photo: William B. Plowman/Getty Images)       

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Wrap It Up - Using condoms protects your cervix and body from STDs including HPV (which can cause cervical cancer) and HIV. Untreated STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can increase the inflammation in your cervix, cause infertility and increase your risk of contracting HIV. Women living with HIV/AIDS have an increased chance of developing cervical cancer compared to HIV-negative women.  (Photo: William B. Plowman/Getty Images)       

Get a Pap Smear - One major way to know if something is going on with your cervix is to get a Pap smear. While some cervical issues may present symptoms, cervical cancer usually does not. FYI: Thanks to Obamacare, you can get a woman’s well visit co-pay-free as part of preventive health care.(Photo: Garo/Phanie/Corbis)

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Get a Pap Smear - One major way to know if something is going on with your cervix is to get a Pap smear. While some cervical issues may present symptoms, cervical cancer usually does not. FYI: Thanks to Obamacare, you can get a woman’s well visit co-pay-free as part of preventive health care.(Photo: Garo/Phanie/Corbis)

HIV Disproportionately Affects African-Americans - Statistically, African-Americans are more likely to contract the HIV virus. According to the CDC in 2018, African Americans accounted for 13% of the US population but 42% of new HIV infections. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports a number of challenges contribute to the epidemic in Black communities, including poverty, lack of access to health care, smaller sexual networks, lack of awareness of HIV status, and stigma.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Demand to Get Tested for STDs During Your Gyno Visit - Don’t think that because you have a gyno appointment for a Pap that you are being tested for STDs. You have to speak up and be clear that you are concerned about STD. Also if available, ask for an HPV test, too. If you test positive for HPV, do not freak out. Most sexually active Americans have had HPV in their lifetime. Plus HPV clears itself up over time. However it does take longer to clear up in Black women.  (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Quit Smoking - While most cervical cancers are not caused by HPV, smoking can play a big part in developing the disease. Yet, if you do have HPV and you smoke, you double your risk of developing cervical cancer. Smoking can speed up growth of cancerous cells in the body.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Quit Smoking - While most cervical cancers are not caused by HPV, smoking can play a big part in developing the disease. Yet, if you do have HPV and you smoke, you double your risk of developing cervical cancer. Smoking can speed up growth of cancerous cells in the body.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

If You Can, Get the HPV Vaccine - No doubt, this vaccine can be expensive (up to $300 for a series of three shots) and time consuming, but getting vaccinated for HPV can help strengthen your cervical health and protect you against the strains that can cause cervical cancer. It’s recommended that girls and boys as young as 9 to 26 get the shot. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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If You Can, Get the HPV Vaccine - No doubt, this vaccine can be expensive (up to $300 for a series of three shots) and time consuming, but getting vaccinated for HPV can help strengthen your cervical health and protect you against the strains that can cause cervical cancer. It’s recommended that girls and boys as young as 9 to 26 get the shot. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Eat More Fruits and Veggies - You are what you eat, so eating a lot of junk and being overweight can impact your chances of developing cervical cancer and other cancers. Fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants and minerals, which can help your body fight HPV infection and slow down the process of healthy cells turning into cancerous ones. Are you eating your five to seven servings a day? (Photo: Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Images)

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Eat More Fruits and Veggies - You are what you eat, so eating a lot of junk and being overweight can impact your chances of developing cervical cancer and other cancers. Fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants and minerals, which can help your body fight HPV infection and slow down the process of healthy cells turning into cancerous ones. Are you eating your five to seven servings a day? (Photo: Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Images)