Health Checkup for Women Aged 18-39

Why Should Women Have a Health Checkup?

You should see your doctor regularly, even if you feel healthy. A health checkup helps to:

• Detect medical problems;
• Assess your risk of future medical problems;
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle;
• Update vaccinations;

What Should Women Aged 18-39 Have Checked?

Blood Pressure

Have your blood pressure checked at least once every two years.

• If the systolic value is between 120 and 139, or the diastolic value is between 80 and 89 mmHg, you should have it checked yearly;
• If the systolic value is 130 or higher or the diastolic is 80 or higher, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss ways to lower your blood pressure;
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often, but always at least once a year;

Cholesterol Check

The recommended age for cholesterol screening is 45 for women with no known risk factors for coronary artery disease and 20 for women with known risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Women with normal cholesterol levels do not need to repeat the test for 5 years.

Repeat the test sooner if there are lifestyle changes, including weight gain and diet.

If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need closer monitoring.

Diabetes Screening

• If your blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher, your healthcare provider may check your blood sugar for diabetes;
• If you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and have other risk factors for diabetes, you should have a diabetes screening test. A BMI greater than 25 means you are overweight;
• If you have other risk factors for diabetes, such as a first-degree relative with diabetes or a history of heart disease, your healthcare provider will likely screen you for diabetes;
• If you are overweight and have other risk factors such as high blood pressure and are planning to become pregnant, screening is recommended;

Dental Exams

Go to the dentist once or twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Your dentist will assess whether you need more frequent visits.

Eye Exam

If you have vision problems, get an eye exam every two years or more often if your provider recommends. Have an eye exam at least every year if you have diabetes.

Infectious Disease Screening

Sexually active women should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea until age 25. Women age 25 and older should be screened if they are at high risk. All adults ages 18–79 should have a one-time hepatitis C screening test.

Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may also need to be screened for infections such as syphilis and HIV, as well as other infections.

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Breast Cancer Screening

Women can do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts disagree on the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's best for you.

Screening mammography is not recommended for most women under 40.

If you have a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a young age, consider getting an annual mammogram. They should start earlier than the age at which the youngest family member was diagnosed.

If you have other risk factors for breast cancer, your healthcare provider may recommend a mammogram, breast ultrasound, or MRI.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice a change in your breasts, whether or not you do breast self-exams. If you are between 18 and 39, your healthcare provider may perform a clinical breast exam.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21. After the first test:

• Women aged 21–29 should have a Pap smear every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended for this age group;
• Women aged 30–65 should have a Pap smear every 3 years or an HPV test every 5 years;
• If you or your sexual partner have other new partners, you should have a Pap smear every 3 years;
• If you have had your uterus and cervix removed (total hysterectomy) and have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may not need Pap smears;

Other Tests and Exams

Talk to your healthcare provider about colon cancer screening if you have a significant family history of colon cancer or polyps, or if you yourself have had inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.

Routine bone density screening is not recommended for women under 40.  

The Importance of a Health Checkup for Women Aged 18-39

Even if you feel well, you should still see your healthcare provider for regular checkups. A health checkup can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol may also have no symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions.

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