For Yourself,
For Your Future

Women have different health issues compared to men, which include pregnancy, menopause and conditions with the female organs.

According to the National Institutes of Health, screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bone density are necessary for women. In addition, some health issues do affect men and women differently. For instance, women are more likely to die from a heart attack, to have urinary tract problems and to show signs of depression.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health lists the following guidelines for women.

For women, ages 18-39:

• Blood Pressure Screening – Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120-139, or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80 – 89 mm Hg, you should have it checked every year. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often.
• Cholesterol Screening And Heart Disease Prevention – If you are between ages 20 – 45, you should be screened if you have a higher risk for heart disease. In healthy women, screening will begin at age 45.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Diabetes Screening – If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, your provider will test your blood sugar level for diabetes. If you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and have other risk factors for diabetes, you should be screened.
• Physical Exam – You should have 2 physical exams in your 20s and 30s. Healthy young people do not usually need blood tests.
• Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear – Beginning at age 21, women should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear every 3 years to check for cervical cancer. If you are over age 30 or your Pap smear and HPV test are normal, you only need a Pap smear every 5 years. Women who are sexually active should be screened for chlamydia infection up until age 25. Women 26 years and older should be screened if at high risk. This can be done during a pelvic exam.

For women ages 40-64:

• Cholesterol Screening – If you are over age 44, you should be checked every 5 years. If you have high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
• Diabetes Screening – If you are over age 44, you should be screened every 3 years. If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, your provider may test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
• Colon Cancer Screening – If you are under age 50, you should be screened only if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, or have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. If you are between ages 50 – 75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer.
• Physical Exam – You should have a physical exam every 1 – 2 years.
• Mammogram – Women ages 40 – 49 may have a mammogram every 1 – 2 years. Women ages 50 – 75 should have a mammogram every 1 – 2 years, depending on their risk factors.
• Osteoporosis Screening – All postmenopausal women with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
• Lung Cancer Screening – The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 – 80 years who:
  • Have a 30 pack-year smoking history AND
  • Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years

For women 65 and older:

• Blood Pressure Screening – Have your blood pressure checked every year. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
• Cholesterol Screening And Heart Disease Prevention – If your cholesterol level is normal, have it rechecked every 3 to 5 years. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.
• Physical Exam – Have a yearly physical exam.
• Osteoporosis Screening – All women over age 64 should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
• Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear – After age 65, most women can stop having Pap smears as long as they have had 3 negative tests within the past 10 years.