Women’s health encompasses care for the whole person while paying special attention to health conditions that specifically affect women, like breast health, cervical cancer, and pregnancy and childbirth. 

These health conditions affect people assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. At University Health, our providers understand this and treat patients with dignity and respect regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race or class.

Maternal Health

Staying healthy before, during and after pregnancy is important for both mom and baby. Beginning prenatal care as soon as possible is key – when you’re trying to get pregnant, or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Attending regular appointments with your health care provider throughout pregnancy and creating a birth plan is also critical to having a safe, healthy birth.

Moms and babies in Texas are more vulnerable to poor pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy related deaths, according to a March of Dimes report.

Prenatal Care

The percent of women in Bexar County who receive prenatal care increased between 2016 and 2019. However, researchers believe the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused these numbers to trend back down between 2020 and 2023.

In 2019, 66.7% of women in Bexar County were receiving prenatal care in their first trimester. Women aged 30 and over were more likely to receive prenatal care (67%) than women aged 20-29 (63%) and 15-19 (56%). 

Postpartum Care

Postpartum care is important, too. Postpartum depression is common, and help is available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Crying excessively
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Fear that you’re not a good mother
• Restlessness 

Talk to your provider if you’re feeling hopeless, have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby or are crying uncontrollably with no known cause. Call the National Suicide Lifeline at 9-8-8 for immediate help.

Mental Health 

A CDC study shows that about 1 in 10 women in the United States reported symptoms that suggest they experienced an episode of major depression in the last year.

According to CDC data from February 2023, more than half (57%) of U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 — double that of boys. This represents a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. Teen girls also reported more mental health challenges, experiences of violent and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than teen boys.

According to the same study, nearly 1 in 3 teen girls seriously considered attempting suicide. Call the National Suicide Lifeline at 9-8-8 for immediate help.

HPV & Cervical Cancer

In Bexar County, there were 524 new cases of cervical cancer from 2016-2020. Statewide, there were 6,669 new cases.

According to the CDC, cervical cancer occurs most often in people over age 30. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. 

HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. Nearly every sexually active person will get the virus at some point. The HPV vaccine can help prevent health problems caused by HPV.

Pap Smears

Pap smears screen for cervical cancer. Starting at age 21, women should get a Pap smear every three years unless otherwise advised by their health care provider.

Nearly 75% of Bexar County women reported getting a Pap test in the past three years.

Women often get Pap smears at their annual well woman exams. Learn more about what to expect at a well woman exam.

Breast Cancer

In 2022, nearly 20,000 Texas women were diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

Getting regular mammograms can help identify breast cancer early and give you a better chance at beating it. Women ages 40 years and over should get a mammogram once a year.

University Health Resources

Women’s Health Care

University Health offers women’s health care services at many outpatient clinics. Make an appointment online and we will verify your eligibility for special grants or funding.

Primary Care

Find a primary care provider with University Health.

NurseLink

When you have a health care-related question or need help scheduling an appointment, call NurseLink at 210-358-3000. A University Health nurse will answer any time, day or night. This service is only for current University Health patients.

Healthy Texas Women

Healthy Texas Women provides free health and family planning services to eligible Texas women aged 15-44. This Medicaid waiver program includes birth control, cancer screenings and chronic disease management. Patient navigators are dedicated to assist with women’s health and family planning services, aiming to improve pregnancy outcomes and well-being.

For more information or to apply, please call 210-358-3370 or email Healthy.TexasWomen@uhtx.com.

Mommies Program

The Mommies Program at University Health helps women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant who are also experiencing alcohol or substance use disorder.

Mobile Mammography

The Mobile Mammography bus at University Health brings breast cancer screenings directly to the women who need them. Schedule an appointment online.

Nurse-Family Partnership

The Nurse-Family Partnership through University Health pairs first-time mothers with a registered nurse to support them and their baby in the first two years of their child’s life. This program is free and voluntary for women who meet certain income criteria.

CareforMom

CareforMom is a CareLink program for women who give birth at University Health. CareforMom covers certain medical services and starts the day after your baby is born.

Every Body Texas Title X

Every Body Texas Title X is a state grant program that provides family planning and preventative health care for underserved Texans. The program’s goal is to reduce rates of unintended pregnancy, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and breast and cervical cancers.

Title V Prenatal

Title V Prenatal is a state-funded assistance program for low-income women and children who aren’t eligible for CHIP or Medicaid. Women can access certain maternal health care services including:

• Prenatal and postnatal care
• Physical exams
• Family planning
• Prenatal testing

Title X Family Planning

The Title X Family Planning program is federally funded and provides education and resources regarding contraceptives and sexual health.

Community Resources

Casa Mia

Casa Mia is a home in San Antonio for mothers recovering from substance use disorder and their children. This space is unique because it keeps the family unit together while mom recovers. Casa Mia provides free health care, Medicaid enrollment assistance, case management and 24/7 in-house support.

Empower House 

Formerly known as Martinez Street Women’s Center, Empower House provides reproductive health resources to women of color in San Antonio.

Family Violence Prevention Services & The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter

Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPS) supports women and children who are fleeing abusive relationships or homes. FVPS offers:

• 24/7 emergency shelter
• Individual and group counseling for survivors of domestic abuse
• Free legal assistance
• Child Protective Services liaison

YWCA – Women’s Learn and Living Center RESET Program

The RESET Program aims to guide people aged 16-24 in Bexar County who are neither in school nor working to a more secure lifestyle. RESET offers youth a career pathway to becoming a certified Community Health Worker and provides training and case management.

YWCA – Mi Carrera

Mi Carrera at YWCA empowers middle and high school girls to stay engaged in academics and consider career and college pathways. YWCA offers this support to students in SAISD, EISD, HISD, SSISD and SWISD.

YWCA Women’s Health Services

YWCA provides affordable screening and diagnostic mammograms to underserved women in Bexar County.

U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration

Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for support and information about maternal mental health. This hotline is for women and their support system who have mental health questions during and after pregnancy.