WHAT TESTS DO I NEED? |
AGES 18-39 |
AGES 40-49 |
| GENERAL HEALTH: |
| Full checkup, including weight and height |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Thyroid test (TSH) |
Start at age 35, then every 5 years. |
Every 5 years |
| HIV test |
Get this test at least once to find out your HIV status. |
Get this test at least once to find out your HIV status. |
| HEART HEALTH: |
| Blood pressure test |
At least every 2 years |
At least every 2 years |
| Cholesterol test |
Start at age 20, discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| BONE HEALTH: |
| Bone density screen |
|
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| DIABETES: |
| Blood glucose test |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
Start at age 45, then every 3 years. |
| BREAST HEALTH: |
Mammogram (x-ray of breasts) |
|
Every 1-2 years. Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Clinical breast exam |
At least every 3 years starting in your 20s |
Yearly |
| REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: |
| Pap test |
Every 1-3 years if you have been sexually
active or are older
than 21 |
Every 1-3 years |
| Pelvic exam |
Yearly |
Yearly |
| Chlamydia test |
Yearly until age 25 if sexually active. Older than age 26, get this test if you have new or multiple partners. |
Get this test if you have new or multiple partners. |
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests |
Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. |
Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. |
| MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING: |
| |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| EYE AND EAR HEALTH: |
| Complete eye exam |
At least once between the ages 20-29 and at least twice between the ages 30-39, or any time that you have a problem with your eye(s). |
Get an exam at age 40, then every 2-4 years or as your doctor advises. |
| Hearing test |
Starting at age 18, then every 10 years |
Every 10 years |
| SKIN HEALTH: |
| Mole exam |
Monthly mole self-
exam; by a doctor as part of a routine full checkup starting at age 20. |
Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor as part of a routine full checkup. |
| ORAL HEALTH: |
| Dental exam |
Routinely; discuss with your dentist. |
Routinely; discuss with your dentist. |
| IMMUNIZATIONS: |
| Influenza vaccine |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccine |
Every 10 years |
Every 10 years |
| Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) |
Up to age 26, if not already completed
vaccine series; discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
|
| Meningococcal vaccine |
Discuss with your doctor or nurse if attending college. |
|
These charts are guidelines only. Take your personal health seriously. Ask your doctor
the proper timing of each test and immunization to meet your individual health care needs.
General Screenings and Immunizations for Women,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health, March 6, 2009.