It is important to pay attention to your menstrual cycle (period) because your cycle and any deviations from usual patterns can signal changes in your body and help you understand where you are in your gynecological journey.

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This is also an easy area to become complacent about. After all, most of us have our period nearly every month, for many years (unless we’re on contraception that suppresses a period or are pregnant). 

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What is a normal menstrual cycle?

There are guidelines for what’s normal in terms of frequency and duration, but “normal” is also relative. The most important thing is to determine what’s normal for your own body and to discuss that with your provider. 

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Recent research suggests that menstrual cycles can vary by age, weight, race, and ethnicity. Generally, however, a “normal” menstrual cycle occurs every 21 to 35 days, and bleeding lasts between three to seven days. Women also experience pain, cramping, and other premenstrual symptoms (PMS) differently. Other factors like diet and exercise can also impact both your cycle and symptoms.

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Are you experiencing changes to your menstrual cycle? 

Changes to your body’s menstrual patterns may indicate that something else is going on:

• Could signal cancer or pre-cancer 
• Physical changes like polyps or fibroids, a shift in hormone balance, alongside metabolic changes, or even infections 
• Ongoing heavy or prolonged periods can also deplete iron in your body and lead to anemia 

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By openly discussing your menstrual patterns and pain levels, your provider can listen for red flags and recommend further testing. 

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Pain levels should not be downplayed

Research has proven over and over that there is a gender bias when it comes to women’s pain, and that our symptoms and complaints are not always taken seriously – sometimes to devastating effect. If pain levels are interfering with other activities and require medication, please tell your provider.

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Before your well woman visit, track your menstrual cycle

In preparing for your annual exam or well woman visit, it is great to have insight into the following questions:

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• How many days pass between your periods?
• How many days does your period last?
• How heavy is your period? For example, how many tampons or pads do you use in an hour, or over the course of a day?
• How painful are your cramps or other symptoms? Do they interfere with other activities? Do you take medication for the pain? What do you take, and how much?
• What PMS symptoms do you regularly experience leading into your period?
• Do you experience spotting (or other symptoms) between periods?

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There are multiple apps that can help you track your menstrual cycle and premenstrual (PMS) symptoms, including the Health app on the Apple iPhone. 

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Contraceptive advice can be a part of menstrual management 

Women may seek or may already be on birth control to prevent pregnancy. Women may also seek medical intervention to lighten or suppress their periods, which birth control can also help accomplish. Your provider can discuss these options with you. If your birth control method prevents a period, it’s still a good idea to track things like spotting or any other PMS symptoms you continue to experience throughout the month.

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Having a period every month can be a pain - both literally and figuratively - but as disruptive as it can be, it also gives regular insight into your health. Your cycle and any deviations from usual patterns can signal changes in your body and help you understand where you are in your gynecological journey.

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Abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding is quite common, but there are many different causes. Therefore, it can take multiple discussions, tests, or procedures before finding the root cause. Below, we discuss the many causes, tests, and treatments for abnormal bleeding. You may also find it useful to read our article on the Importance of Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle, so you can identify what abnormal bleeding is and when it is happening. 

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What is abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding? 

Abnormal bleeding can look different depending on where you are in your gynecological journey. 

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Abnormal bleeding does not mean spotting at the beginning or end of your normal period, bleeding from progesterone-only contraceptives, or bleeding from continuous birth control pills. 

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Rather, abnormal bleeding typically includes:

• Bleeding in between periods and/or more than 10 days per month
• Recurrent bleeding after sex (when not on your period)
• Bleeding after menopause (menopause is defined as no bleeding for twelve consecutive months)

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Below are some indications of abnormal bleeding based on your life stage: 

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Premenopause: For individuals who are premenopausal, abnormal bleeding is when bleeding is heavy, irregular (i.e., between periods), or happens when it shouldn’t (i.e., after sex). 

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Perimenopause: When reaching the age range for perimenopause (typically 45-50 years old, but can happen earlier), abnormal bleeding is often an early sign indicating this transition. This is due to the ovaries producing inconsistent amounts of estrogen, triggering new patterns of ovulation and bleeding, in addition to other symptoms.

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Menopause: After menopause (median age of menopause in the U.S. is 51 years old), any bleeding that happens a year or more after your last period is abnormal and should be discussed with your provider. Although there are several potential causes for bleeding during this time, this usually requires an evaluation to rule out precancer or cancer in the uterus (endometrial cancer). 

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What causes abnormal bleeding?

There can be many different causes of abnormal bleeding:

• Structural causes, i.e., uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps
• Hormone changes, i.e., pregnancy, perimenopause
• Hormonal birth control
• Infection of the cervix or endometrium
• Cervical pre-cancer or cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Medical conditions, i.e., thyroid disorder, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), or endometriosis

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What tests do I need to evaluate abnormal bleeding?

Based on your age, health status, and risk factors, your provider will help to determine what tests are needed, which may include:

• Physical examination (including a pelvic exam): to determine the location of the bleeding and assess for underlying structural causes
• Lab tests: depending on the suspected cause, this may include a pregnancy test, cervical cancer screening test, vaginal swab to test for infections, and blood tests which check for anemia, thyroid disorder, liver or kidney disorder, hormone tests, and more.
• Imaging: may include a transvaginal ultrasound or more advanced imaging like a pelvic MRI
• Endometrial biopsy: an office procedure that may be recommended based on your age and symptoms to rule out endometrial cancer
• Procedures: this could include a hysteroscopy, which uses a scope with a camera and sterile fluid to see inside the uterus, or a dilation and curettage (D&C) to sample and remove abnormal uterine/endometrial tissue

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How is the abnormal bleeding treated?

The treatment for abnormal bleeding will be based on the cause of the bleeding, your plans for future pregnancy, and your personal medical and surgical history.

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Treatment options may include:

• Hormonal treatments: birth control pills, vaginal rings, progesterone-only pills, progesterone arm implant, injections, or progesterone IUDs (intrauterine devices).
• Non-hormonal treatments: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or antifibrinolytic medications like tranexamic acid.
• Uterine artery embolization: a minimally invasive procedure that uses pellets to block the main blood supply to the uterus, used to shrink fibroids and/or reduce menstrual bleeding over time.
• Surgery: to remove and treat abnormal structural causes, i.e., fibroids, polyps, or the endometrial layer of the uterus.  
  
  • Hysteroscopy: uses a scope with a camera and sterile fluid to see inside the uterus and remove lesions (polyps or fibroids) if present.
  • A dilation and curettage (D&C): is done alone or in combination with a hysteroscopy to sample and remove abnormal uterine/endometrial tissue.
  • Endometrial (Uterine) ablation: a procedure that destroys the inner lining of the uterus using different energy forms (i.e., thermal, freezing, radiofrequency, or microwave energy), usually combined with a hysteroscopy.
  • Myomectomy: a laparoscopic or robotic surgery done to remove fibroids. 
  • Hysterectomy: a surgical procedure done to remove the uterus. This may or may not include the ovaries and cervix, depending on the underlying condition being treated.

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If you are having any abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding, regardless of your age or menopause status, we recommend that you talk to a medical provider as soon as possible so you can get to the root cause of your symptoms.

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Quick Links to Sections:

• The Cervix
• Step 1: Collect and Mail a Sample
• Step 2: Talk with a Teal Provider
• Step 3: Follow-up Tests

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Cervical cancer screening is recommended to start at a younger age than any other cancer screening, and spans forty years of a woman’s life (ages 25-65, as recommended by the American Cancer Society). It is an integral part of preventive care for women and critical for detecting disease early. Cervical cancer is often asymptomatic in the early stages, so having the ability to screen and detect the disease early can save lives. 

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Let’s break down the 3 critical steps of screening to prevent cervical cancer, with support from the Teal Health team.

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Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix. 

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The cervix is the lowest portion of the uterus which connects the uterus to the vagina. When using the Teal Wand, cells are collected from the vagina, up near the cervix and tested for high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus).

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According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer rarely occurs in people who have been screening routinely for cervical cancer. 

Screening has historically taken place in-person at your annual exam with your primary care provider or at your well-woman appointment with your OBGYN. And now, for the first time in the U.S., you can screen yourself at home, privately, using the Teal Wand. You will self-collect a sample and mail it to the lab to be tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test. 

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The Teal Wand is FDA-approved, and samples detect precancer 96% of the time, the same as samples from the clinician using a speculum. It is easy and comfortable, with over 98% of users collecting an adequate sample. 

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Cervical cancer screening using an HPV test means collecting cell samples and testing them for the presence of high-risk HPV. Detecting high-risk HPV is critical because it is the single most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer.

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How often should you screen?

According to the self-collection guidelines from the American Cancer Society:

• If you have a history of normal results, it is recommended that you screen yourself (self-collect) with a primary HPV test every 3 years. 
• If you have a history of abnormal results in the past 5 years, in most cases, you will be recommended to screen again in 1 year to keep an eye on the infection (which can be dormant). If you’d like, you can also connect with a Teal provider to discuss further.
• If your results are abnormal, you should connect with a Teal medical provider to discuss whether additional tests or procedures are needed. Follow-up care is critical to ensuring HPV infections do not progress.

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Once you have collected your sample, you will need to mail it to the lab, and within a week or so, you will be notified that your results are available to view in your Teal portal. All results are also reviewed by a Teal medical provider.

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If you received ‘abnormal’ results (HPV was detected in your sample), you need to schedule a virtual appointment with a Teal medical provider. 

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During the appointment, you and the provider will discuss your results in the context of your medical history and whether additional tests or treatments are recommended. Your Teal provider will give you a referral to a local provider for any recommended next steps. Please schedule this follow-up appointment with the Teal provider as soon as possible, as it is critical to take care of high-risk HPV infections before they cause cervical changes.

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If you received normal results (no HPV detected), your provider will indicate in the note accompanying your results when you should screen next. However, if you still have questions or want to discuss further for any reason, you can message your Teal provider via the portal or book a visit. 

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Even if your results were normal, please let your Teal provider know right away if you learn anything new about your screening history, as you may need to be screened sooner. 

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When talking with a Teal medical provider, they may recommend further testing, such as an in-clinic Pap smear or a colposcopy. If so, the Teal medical provider will refer you to a local provider. This is a very important step in the screening process, and we recommend you schedule and complete the in-clinic follow-up visit using your referral as soon as you can. We will check in to remind you to do this.

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Colposcopy‍

A colposcopy is an in-office procedure that usually takes about 15-20 minutes. It’s sort of like having a longer pap smear - after placing a speculum, your provider will apply a dilute vinegar solution to the area of concern, which turns any abnormal areas more white. Then, a magnifying device (a colposcope) is used to look for abnormal changes on your cervix. If abnormal areas are seen, your provider may take a small amount of tissue (a biopsy) for testing. This will then be sent to the lab for evaluation by a pathologist. Biopsy results are usually back within 1-2 weeks.

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Precancer Treatment

Most of the time, if they are routinely screening, people have early precancerous changes, which can range from mild to severe. Depending on your age, the severity, and how much of your cervix shows these changes, you and your doctor can decide to wait to see if the changes clear on their own, or whether it is beter to undergo a treatment to remove the abnormal cells (e.g., ‘LEEP,’ Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) to help prevent progression to cancer. 

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Cervical Cancer Treatment

In the unlikely event that your biopsy results show cancer, the provider who performed the procedure will advise you on what steps to take in order to treat your cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is treated in a way typical of most cancers, with surgery to remove the cancer, medicine to treat the cancer cells (chemotherapy), and/or radiation therapy.

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Fortunately, cervical cancer is very treatable when caught early. You may be surprised to learn you have cancer because you may not be experiencing any symptoms. This is common when cervical cancer is detected early. More advanced cervical cancer can present with symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding or discharge after having sex, between periods, or after menopause.

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Screening is the MOST important thing you can do to ensure you stay healthy.

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If you need guidance or have questions at any point during your screening or follow-up care, please send us a message or make an appointment with a Teal provider. We are here to support you.

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All the modern cervical cancer screening tests – that is, the Primary HPV test and co-test (HPV test + Pap test) – are good at finding cancer and precancer. The primary HPV test is better at preventing cervical cancers than a Pap smear alone and does not add more unnecessary procedures, which can happen with a co-test.

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Cervical cancer screenings, first introduced in the 1940s and called the Pap smear, have evolved in the last couple of decades, however, the collection method has remained the same: a cervical collection by a provider during a speculum exam, until now.

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Let’s break it down.

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• First, you'll most likely recognize the term Pap smear rather than cervical cancer screening or HPV test. This is confusing because in the last ~20 years, screening usually includes a human papillomavirus (HPV) test and an updated cervical cytology test. Also, by naming it a Pap smear, some women are unsure of what the exam is actually testing for. For background, the term Pap smear came from the last name of  Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou, who in 1942 invented a new stain (the Pap stain) to look at cervical cells to screen for cancer, a technique which is still used today.
• Second, screening guidelines used to require yearly exams because Pap smears alone are less sensitive when identifying cervical changes and only catch cell changes that have already happened. It then changed to every 3-5 years. Many of us were excited because we don’t enjoy the speculum experience, but do we know why the screening intervals changed? Spoiler: it's the HPV test.
• Lastly, the exam was always coupled with a breast and full pelvic exam, but this also changed recently. 

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If it is a cervical cancer screening, why do we call it a Pap smear?

The short answer: It’s habit! Many people associate cervical cancer screening with getting a Pap smear. This is understandable, given Pap smears were the first and only screening method for cervical cancer for 70+ years. 

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The Pap smear tests for cell changes that have already happened in the cervix, which could indicate precancer or cancer of the cervix. These changes are usually caused by an infection with a high-risk type of HPV. However, the Pap smear alone has a sensitivity (a measure of accuracy) of only 53%, meaning that it can miss abnormal cervical cell changes almost half of the time. 

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Once we learned in the 80s-90s that HPV was associated with almost all cervical cancers, screening transformed to test specifically for HPV. But, we still often see the screening referred to as a Pap smear because it’s what many people are used to calling it.

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Primary HPV Test

When you screen using the Teal Wand, you are collecting a sample to be tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV test for cervical cancer screening (Roche cobas® Primary HPV test). The primary HPV test is the most sensitive screening test for cervical cancer and is recommended by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force. 

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An HPV test detects whether you have a current high-risk HPV infection, which is critical because having high-risk HPV is the single most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer. Compared to the Pap smear, HPV tests can also detect infections at earlier stages, before cancer has developed.

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The Teal Wand is FDA-approved, and the sample finds HPV-related cervical precancer 96% of the time when it is present, which is as accurate as samples collected by a clinician using a speculum and brush. 

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Extended Screening Intervals

It was the introduction of the primary HPV test that extended the screening intervals from every 1-3 years (using only the Pap smear) to every 5 years using HPV testing (the co-test, which combines Pap and HPV testing, is also recommended every 5 years). This extension in the screening guidelines can be confusing, especially for women who were used to getting the Pap smear every year. But through extensive research of HPV, it is understood that the virus progresses slowly and can take years, even 15-20 years, to develop into cervical cancer. 

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With routine screening and follow-up care, cells infected with high-risk HPV can be caught early and treated before they progress into cervical cancer. Therefore, screening per guidelines is very important, but your own screening intervals could change depending on your screening history. Any history of HPV can shorten your screening intervals, so be sure to discuss your screening history with your provider.

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HPV testing is also the reason that self-collection options, like the Teal Wand, are possible. HPV can be detected from a sample collected from the vagina versus only the cervix. Since self-collecting with a Primary HPV test is new, the American Cancer Society recommends screening every 3 years even with normal results. This is different from the current guidelines for Primary HPV testing when a sample is collected in-person by a clinician using the speculum and brush - that interval, with normal results, is every 5 years. Just as we saw the screening intervals evolve decades ago, the screening guidelines for self-collection (at-home and in-clinic) will likely also evolve as more data is accumulated over time. See more about cervical cancer screening guidelines.

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Pelvic Exams Are No Longer Routine

A pelvic exam is when a provider inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and puts pressure on your abdomen to feel for your cervix, uterus, and ovaries to check for gynecological problems. Pelvic exams were traditionally done routinely after every speculum exam for cervical screening. In 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stopped recommending routine pelvic exams in non-pregnant patients without symptoms, as the potential harms and discomfort outweighed the benefits for these patients. "Pelvic examinations should be performed when indicated by medical history or symptoms." Similarly, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) both recommend against routine pelvic exams in non-pregnant, asymptomatic women.

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At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening for Primary HPV

The evolution in cervical cancer screening over the past decades has led to significant advancements in testing, and it is exciting to see this progress now be translated into how a woman can experience her screening. With the Teal Wand, you can now be in control of your experience by collecting your own sample at home, comfortably and privately. And you can feel confident that your sample is being tested on an FDA-approved primary HPV test, the most accurate test for cervical cancer screening. 

Quick Links to Sections:

• Know your test
• What is high-risk HPV
• Reading your results
• Normal results
• Abnormal results
• Invalid results

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Knowing what type of cervical cancer screening test you have had is important because the type of test performed, along with your current and past results, determines if additional tests or procedures are needed, or when you should screen again.

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What screening test does Teal Health perform?

When you screen with Teal Health using the Teal Wand, you are collecting a sample for a primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test. The Teal Wand is FDA-approved and has a 96% sensitivity – the same as screening with a clinician using a speculum – which means that samples collected with the Wand almost always detect HPV-related precancer when it is present.

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A primary HPV test is the recommended and preferred cervical screening method by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This test looks for a current high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection. Screening for hrHPV is critical because having a persistent or continued infection is the single most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer, as almost all cervical cancers are caused by hrHPV.

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HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of 200+ viruses. HPV is very common – according to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly all sexually active adults will get HPV at some point in their lives. Some types of HPV cause warts (ie. on hands, feet, or genitals) while others cause infection – if the infection persists, it can lead to cancers of the cervix, genitals, anus, and throat through sexual skin to skin contact.

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Sexually transmitted HPV types are categorized into two groups: low-risk and high-risk HPV. High-risk HPV that persists over many years is the cause of almost all cervical cancers. 

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The HPV types that have the highest risk of causing cervical cancer (high-risk HPV) are used to screen for cancer, while those with low or very low risk of causing cancer are not.

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Teal tests your sample for 14 types of high-risk HPV, which are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. Among them, HPV 16 and 18 are the highest risk types and are known to cause most cervical cancers if they are left without proper follow-up care. We report the remaining twelve high-risk HPV types together as ‘HPV Other’ – these less commonly cause cancers, but are still considered high-risk types that need appropriate follow-up care. 

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Most high-risk HPV infections do not lead to cancer, as our immune systems can clear them within a few years. However, according to the CDC, about 10% of women with the infection will develop long-lasting HPV infections that put them at risk for cervical cancer. This is why follow-up care for an HPV infection is so important to prevent infections from progressing into cancer and to make sure you stay healthy.

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When your results are ready, which should be within a week of your sample being sent to the lab, you will be notified to view them in your Teal portal.

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You will see one of the following results:

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• Normal (HPV negative): means high-risk HPV was not detected in your sample.
• Abnormal (HPV positive): means high-risk HPV was detected in your sample. Your result will specify which HPV types were detected.

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Either high-risk HPV was detected in your sample, or it was not. 

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A normal result means you successfully collected your sample, and no HPV was detected. This is good news! A Teal provider will review your result in the context of your screening history and let you know if any follow-up appointments are needed (such as a video visit) and when you should screen next.

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If your screening history has been:

• Normal (no HPV detected in prior screenings): You will be advised that your next screening is due in 3 years, as recommended by the American Cancer Society and other leading organizations.
• Abnormal (HPV has been detected in a screening within the past 5 years): In most cases, you will be recommended to screen again in 1 year to keep an eye on the infection (which can be dormant). If you’d like, you can also connect with a Teal provider to discuss further.

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Let your Teal provider know if you are not sure of your screening history, so they can recommend a suitable care plan. If you learn more about your screening history after receiving your results, please let your provider know, as this may change when you need to screen again. 

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Once your screening results are available in your Teal portal, they will be accompanied by a letter from a Teal provider outlining recommended next steps.

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An abnormal or positive HPV test result does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, however, it does mean you need to follow up with a Teal provider to discuss whether additional tests or procedures are needed.

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With routine screening and appropriate follow-up care, high-risk HPV infections are likely caught in the precancerous phase, when they can be much more easily treated and cervical cancer can be prevented. 

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We test your sample for fourteen types of high-risk HPV: 16, 18, and twelve others (reported together as ‘HPV Other’). All the HPV types we test for require follow-up care to look for changes on the cervix from the HPV infection. 

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If you receive an abnormal or positive result for any type of hrHPV, you need to schedule a video visit with a Teal provider to discuss next steps. The type of HPV, along with your screening history, will help you and your provider decide what the best next steps for you are. 

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In the rare occasion that the lab was unable to determine whether HPV was detected in your sample, this will be reported to us as an ‘invalid’ outcome. If this happens, a member of the Teal team will be in touch to coordinate next steps. 

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This can happen if, for example, your sample did not have enough cells to run the HPV test, if you collected after using certain vaginal products, or had an active vaginal infection. 

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Welcome to a more comfortable and private cervical cancer screening.

At Teal Health, we believe that how you experience your healthcare is just as important as the expert care you receive from our medical providers. 

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We have designed a cervical cancer screening process that is accessible, flexible, and informative every step of the way. Below is a detailed view of what you can expect once you register and order your Teal Wand.

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Spoiler: We will be sending you text messages (SMS) and emails throughout your at-home screening. This is to ensure you are fully supported and aware of what happens next in the process. When your screening and any follow-up care are complete, we will greatly reduce these communications until it is time for you to screen again.

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1. Register and Attend Intro Visit 

• You will complete the Eligibility and Account Registration process, which will end with you scheduling a 10-minute virtual Intro Visit with a Teal medical provider. 
• You will attend the virtual Intro Visit. This visit is a required final step in ordering your Teal Wand screening kit. Our medical team cannot prescribe and ship your kit until you complete the Intro Visit. During this visit, you and the provider will discuss your past cervical cancer screening results, confirm your eligibility for at-home screening, and go over the Teal Health at-home screening process.
• Additionally, if you are able to access your previous screening history and results, please upload this information to your Teal account.‍
  

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Your previous results, combined with your upcoming at-home screening results, help our providers determine when you should screen next or if additional care is needed. Not everyone follows the standard 3-5 year screening guideline.

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• Once the Intro Visit is complete, our providers can prescribe you the Teal at-home screening box.

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2. Teal Wand is Shipped

• Once it is prescribed by a Teal medical provider, the Teal Wand box will ship to you.
• You will receive a notification with the tracking information. All shipments are done through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

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3. Teal Wand Kit Arrives at Your Address

• The screening box will arrive by USPS at the shipping address you specified.
• No activation is required. The Teal Wand is a prescription device, therefore, we have already validated and labeled the device and screening box for you. 
• If there are any issues with your shipment, please contact our team at help@tealhealth.co or message us through your Teal portal.

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4. Collect Sample and Ship 

• Everything you need to collect your sample and send it to the lab is included in the Teal Wand box. 

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If you are pregnant, on your period or bleeding, have a vaginal infection, or have had vaginal intercourse or used a vaginal product in the past 48 hours (or 1 week if you have used Metronidazole Vaginal Gel), please wait to collect your sample.

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• There are detailed instructions in your box that indicate how to collect your sample (usually takes less than 5 minutes) and package it to mail to the lab.
• You will need to mail your sample via USPS within 24 hours of collecting. 

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Avoid screening on days the USPS is closed, such as Sundays and holidays. You can drop this package into a standard USPS outgoing mailbox (if it fits), bring it to the USPS post office, or schedule a USPS pickup for the day you plan to self-collect. 

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• If you have any questions while collecting your sample, you can view our frequently asked questions, watch the instructional video, or message our team for help. 

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5. Sample Received at Lab

• You will be notified via email and text when your sample is on its way to the lab.
• Once it arrives, the lab will process your results, and a Teal medical provider will review them.
• Once your sample has been processed by the lab, they will dispose of the sample.

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6. Screening Results Available 

• Your results will be available in your secure Teal portal, and you will be notified via email and text when they are available to view.

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We will not publish results for inadequate samples. So, if you received a result, you can be confident that you self-collected correctly (as over 98% of people do!). 

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• In addition to your results, you will receive a note from your Teal medical provider with instructions on your next steps.

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7. Follow-Up Steps 

• If your results require further discussion, we will request that you schedule a video visit to meet with a Teal medical provider. 
• You can schedule this visit from within your Teal portal, as soon as you view your results.
• During this call, the provider will discuss your results, what these mean in light of your screening history, and when you should screen next. If needed, they will refer you to an in-person clinic for follow-up care.
  
  • If referral care is needed, we will provide you with the contact information for a local provider to continue evaluating your cervical health. 
  • You will need to schedule that appointment, but we are here to help you if you need it. The Teal Health team will follow up to see that you have completed this critical step.

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8. Complete 

• When your screening process is complete, we will request that you rate your experience and provide feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve the overall experience for our customers, and your feedback can help us do that. 
• We will also be in touch via text and email when it’s time for you to screen again.

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We hope to make this the most comfortable, convenient, and easy process for you.

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