General Screenings and Immunizations For Females Ages 18–39* at Average Risk of Most Diseases

Screening Tests When Why General Health: Full checkup, including Every 2-3 years. Discuss To screen for diseases, height and weight with your doctor or nurse. assess risk for future problems, discuss lifestyle habits, and keep vaccinations up to date.

Thyroid Test (TSH) Discuss with your doctor To identify an under- or or nurse. overactive- thyroid, both of which are very treatable and either of which can lead to more serious conditions if left untreated.

Heart Health: Test At least every 2 years. To test for high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney and eye problems.

Cholesterol Test Every 5 years starting at Treating cholesterol age 35. If you smoke or abnormalities can help are overweight, you may reduce your risk of heart need to start at age 20. disease. Discuss with doctor or nurse about when you should begin.

Adapted from: National Women’s Health Resource Center www.healthywomen.org 877-986-9472 1 Screening Tests When Why Diabetes: Fasting Blood Sugar Discuss with your doctor To provide an early (Glucose) Test or nurse. warning sign of high blood sugar levels, which could mean an increased risk for diabetes.

Breast Health: Breast Exam Females in their 20s and Not all breast cancers are 30s should receive a found on mammograms; a clinical breast exam every good clinical breast exam 3 years. and self-exam can also Starting at age 20, help identify cancers

females should perform relatively early. breast self-exams once a month.

Reproductive Health: Females ages 21-30 Helps identify females at should get a Pap test risk for developing cervical every 3 years. Females cancer. over 30 should get a Pap and HPV test every 3-5 years.

HPV Test Every 5 years for females The HPV test in (Human Papillomavirus) ages 30-65. Should be combination with the Pap done as part of the Pap test is better at identifying test. females at risk for cervical cancer, than the Pap test alone.

Adapted from: National Women’s Health Resource Center www.healthywomen.org 877-986-9472 2 Screening Tests When Why Pelvic Exam Every year for females A way to assess health, starting at age 21. Discuss lifestyle and health risks. with your doctor or nurse if you should start earlier.

Chlamydia Test Yearly until age 25 if Prevents spread of sexually active. For ages chlamydia. 26 and over, get the test if you have new or multiple sexual partners, or at higher risk.

Sexually Transmitted All sexually active females Prevents spread of HIV Illnesses (STI) Tests and their partners should and other STIs, many of be tested for STIs, which can only be including HIV, before detected through testing. beginning sexual activity.

Eye & Health: Eye Exam At least once from ages 20 To test your vision. to 29; based on results, follow doctor's recommendations.

Hearing Test Starting at age 18, then To make sure you're every 10 years. all life has to offer.

Adapted from: National Women’s Health Resource Center www.healthywomen.org 877-986-9472 3 Screening Tests When Why Oral Health: Dental Exam One to two times every To remove plaque and year. bacteria that could lead to tooth and gum disease; to check for tongue and mouth cancer.

Skin Health: Skin Exam Starting at age 18, To track worrisome moles, females should do a identify skin cancer early, monthly skin self-exam. and be able to report any Speak to your doctor or changes to your doctor or nurse about how often to nurse. have an additional skin exam by your doctor.

Mental Health: Mental Health Screening Discuss with your doctor If you are feeling sad or or nurse. anxious for a long time, it might be helpful to speak with a doctor.

Adapted from: National Women’s Health Resource Center www.healthywomen.org 877-986-9472 4 Screening Tests When Why Immunizations: Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annually for everyone 6 Protection again some flu months and older. viruses.

Human Papillomavirus Age 11-12, or 13-26 if not Protects against four Vaccine previously vaccinated; 3 common types of HPV, (HPV) doses at 0-, 2- and 6- including the two most month intervals; no likely to cause cervical booster necessary. cancer.

Meningococcal Vaccine College freshmen, military Protects against some recruits, and other at-risk types of meningococcal persons; discuss with your disease (meningitis). doctor or nurse.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Every 10 years. Protects against tetanus, Pertussis Booster Vaccine diphtheria, and pertussis. (Td/Tdap)

Varicella (Chickenpox) Given in 2 doses at 0- and Protects against 4- to 8-week intervals to chickenpox, a usually mild those 19 or older who but highly contagious have not been vaccinated childhood disease, which or had chickenpox. can be dangerous in infants and adults.

* Please Note: These charts are guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to best meet your health care needs.

Adapted from: National Women’s Health Resource Center www.healthywomen.org 877-986-9472 5