Health Screenings for Women of All Ages

Be certain to talk with your health care provider about your personal risk factors, including family history, to determine when you should begin regular screenings. For some women, it's best to start particular screenings at an earlier age.

This overview includes routinely recommended vaccines; talk with your physician if you are at high risk for diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C and tuberculosis (TB).

Age 9
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: three shots given over six months (recommended for females ages 9 to 26)

Once You're Sexually Active or by Age 18
Pelvic exam/Pap smear: annually first three years, then every one to three years based on exam results
Sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis): frequency based on risk

Age 18

Breast self-exam: monthly
Clinic breast exam: every three years from ages 20 to 39; annually from age 40
Pelvic exam/Pap smear: first three years, then every one to three years based on exam results

Age 20
Cholesterol: every five years based on results

Age 21

Blood pressure: every one to two years based on results
Pap smear (cervical cancer): every one to three years based on results

Age 40
Mammogram (breast X-ray): annually

Age 45
Blood sugar test (type 2 diabetes): every three years based on results

Age 50

Bone density scan (DEXA): talk with your health care provider
Colonoscopy: every 10 years based on results
Double-contrast barium enema (colon and rectum X-ray): every five years if not having colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): every one to two years based on results
Flexible sigmoidoscopy: every five years
Flu shot: annually
Health maintenance exams, including vision and hearing impairment: talk with your health care provider

Age 65
Pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia): once

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