Healthcare Milestones for Every Woman

Eating healthy, getting plenty of physical activity, and wearing sunscreen are a few ways to protect your health throughout your life. But with each new decade, women also need to stay up to date on the appropriate screenings and exams for their age group. Keeping up with these screenings increases your chances of detecting illnesses early.

You may need to begin some screenings earlier or have them more frequently if you are at a high risk for developing certain conditions. The best way to know what preventive care is appropriate for you is to know your family health history and discuss with your Primary Care provider.

Every woman should have an annual well-woman exam that includes reproductive health and preventive care. Depending on your age, it could consist of a mammogram, pap smear, and vaccinations. These checkups are also a good time to bring up issues or concerns that you may be experiencing. Learn what screenings and tests are recommended at your stage of life.

In Your Teens

• Talk to your healthcare provider about beginning pelvic exams and gynecological visits.
• Consider an immunization for human papillomavirus (HPV) at least once between the ages of 9-26. HPV is a common virus especially devastating to women because it causes nearly all cervical cancers. The vaccine provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer, later in life.

In Your 20s

• Schedule a mole exam every 3 years with your healthcare provider and complete a monthly self-exam to check for signs of skin cancer.
• Get a cervical cancer screening (pap smear) every 3 years starting at age 21 and HPV immunization once between the ages of 9-26.

In Your 30s

• Start thyroid testing (TSH) at age 35, then every 5 years afterwards.
• Get a cervical cancer screening every 3 years or every 5 years with HPV testing.

In Your 40s

• Schedule a thyroid test every 5 years.
• Start getting a mammogram every year.
• Cervical cancer screening is recommended every 3 years or every 5 years with HPV testing.
• Begin colon and rectal cancer screenings.

In Your 50s

• Get a thyroid test every 5 years.
• Schedule a mammogram every 1-2 years. Discuss with your Primary Care provider.
• Cervical cancer screening should happen every 3 years or every 5 years with HPV testing.
• Get screened for colon and rectal cancer.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your heart health. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women ages 50 and older. The most common symptom for both men and women is chest pain, but women tend to have many other less common symptoms, including nausea, cold sweats or chills, and shortness of breath. Call 911 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

In Your 60s+

• Schedule a thyroid test every 5 years.
• Get a bone mineral density scan to detect osteoporosis.
• Get a mole exam every year by a healthcare provider, plus a monthly self-exam.
• Get a mammogram every 1-2 years.
• Continue colon and rectal cancer screenings. If you’re over 75, speak with your doctor about whether you still should have mammograms and colon cancer screenings.
• Schedule a cervical cancer screening (pap) every 3 years, or every 5 years with HPV testing until age 65.

Healthy at Any Age

Most preventive care screenings happen each year or even less frequently. But you should also take daily measures to care for your body and mind:

• Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of physical activity to maintain a healthy weight. This reduces your risk of health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
• Monitor your mental health. In addition to stress and chemical imbalances, hormone changes associated with your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum period, or perimenopause can affect your mood. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any issues with your mental health such as anxiety and depression.
• If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor about birth control options and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Don’t smoke. If you don’t use tobacco products, not starting is one of the best things you can do for your health. If you do, consider quitting as soon as you can.

If you need help figuring out the best way to care for your health, Frederick Health is here.

We’re dedicated to caring for the unique health and wellness needs of all women. To learn more about our women’s health services, visit our Women's Health page or contact our women’s health navigator at 240-215-1447.