Women have distinct health needs that change continuously, such as during pregnancy and menopause. Many ailments have different effects in women, compared to men. For instance, although cardiovascular diseases affect men and women alike, women have a higher risk of dying from a first heart attack compared to men — the symptoms of heart diseases are also different across gender.
Read the women's health checklist highlighted below to know which tests, screenings, or examinations are required as a healthy adult.
Annual wellness check: Go for an annual physical, or well-woman exam. These routine checkups include a physical examination, vaccination updates, and screenings to detect the presence of diseases. Your primary care physician may check your routines, including diet, exercise, and tobacco use. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, you may need to visit more frequently.
Clinical breast exam: Women between the ages of 20 to 39 need to have their breasts checked clinically by a doctor every one to three years. Women over the age of 40 should have their breasts examined annually.
Mammogram: This is advisable for women aged 40 and above, or earlier if they have a history of breast cancer in the family.
Cervical cancer screening: Women should have a Pap smear test in their 20s for cervical cancer screening. This screening should be done every three years. If you are between 30 and 65, you should get a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years, or a Pap test every three years.
Women between the ages of 65 and 70 can stop going for screenings after having had three or more Pap tests in 10 years without irregular results.
Sexually transmitted infections: Women between the ages of 13 and 64 should get HIV tests at least once as a part of their regular healthcare. Women who are prone to HIV exposure should go for tests once every year. Pregnant women should also get HIV tests at the early stages of pregnancy.
If you are under 25 and sexually active, you should go for gonorrhea and chlamydia screening until you reach 25. If you are above 25, discuss the need for this screening with your primary care doctor.
Eyes: Upon reaching 40, every adult should get a thorough eye examination. You should see an ophthalmologist before then if you have a preexisting eye condition, family record of eye disease, or if you are predisposed to severe conditions, or suffer eye-related injuries.
Hearing: You should have your hearing checked if you have issues with hearing.
Dental exams and cleanings: Visit the dentist twice yearly, unless advised otherwise.
Other recommended items for the checklist include:
This checklist is not exhaustive, which means you need to talk to your primary health physician about your specific health needs. Ask what tests your doctor would suggest and how frequently you should go for screenings or checkups. Also, do not forget to discuss your family and medical records, preferences, and lifestyle with the doctor to help he or she create a specific health routine for you.
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