The Latest News From Pueblo Colorado
1. HELP FOR COUPLES HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PREGNANT
Conceiving a child can be difficult, even for couples for whom conditions are just right. If you haven’t become pregnant after being off birth control for a year, it may be time to pinpoint the problem. The Reproductive Health package of free publications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Women’s Health and the Federal Citizen Information Center is a good place to start.
You’ll want to make sure you’re trying at the right time of the month. FDA-approved home tests can tell you when you’re ovulating. See a doctor if you’re not having regular periods, which could indicate you’re not ovulating.
Keep in mind your age. It’s harder for women over 30 to get pregnant, and after 40 it’s even more difficult. See your doctor sooner than the recommended year if you’re over 30 and still trying to conceive.
Another culprit could be uterine fibroids. These growths of muscle and tissue inside the uterus are very common in women of childbearing age, especially if they’re African-American or if they’re overweight. You might not have any symptoms, or you might have lower back pain, heavy or painful periods, or miscarriages. The Reproductive Health package outlines other symptoms, as well as the many treatment options available. The good news is that fibroids don’t have to get in the way of having children.
As the fact sheets in the Reproductive Health package point out, your partner can also affect your chances of getting pregnant. Men can be infertile, and factors like not getting enough rest or being under too much stress can affect the amount and health of the sperm he produces. Don’t rule out asking the doctor about tests to look at your guy’s fertility, too.
If you’re having problems getting pregnant, now’s the time to find out what’s going on. Start your investigation with the publications in the Reproductive Health package. There are three easy ways to place your order:
* Send your name and address to Reproductive Health, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
* Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov/rc/n86reproductivehealth.htm to place your order online or to read or print these and hundreds of other federal publications for free.
* Or call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That’s 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and ask for the Reproductive Health package.
2. GUIDE TO LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
As you or a loved one get older, the chances that you’ll need some kind of extended care increase. In fact, 55 percent of people ages 85 or older need long-term care. And paying for a nursing home, chore services, or in-home health aides can be expensive. If you’re looking for a way to cover these expenses, long-term care insurance may be the answer. Make sure to research all your options before you buy, and make sure you read the Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and America’s Health Insurance Plans. This free brochure answers many questions you might have, including how much insurance can cost, what kinds are available, and what they cover. You’ll even find a checklist of questions to help you compare policies.
For a copy, send your name and address to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 579T, Pueblo, CO 81009. Or call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that’s 1 (888) 878-3256, and ask for Item 579T. And visit
www.pueblo.gsa.gov to read or print this and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.
3. NINE WAYS TO LOWER YOUR AUTO INSURANCE COSTS
Sometimes it takes more than a lizard to lower your auto insurance rates. Having a good driving record helps, but so does shopping around for the best rates, asking about safe driver or other discounts, and even requesting a higher deductible. Learn more about these and other strategies to keep your rates affordable in Nine Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Costs, a brochure from the Insurance Information Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There’s even a table to help you compare discounts available from insurers when you’re shopping around. For a copy, send your name, address, and a check or money order for $1.50 to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 305T, Pueblo, CO 81009. Or call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that’s 1 (888) 878-3256, and ask for Item 305T. Have your credit card handy.
Posted on March 2, 2009