Screening tests and health counseling are a key part of managing your health. A screening test is done to find disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes. You may need regular checkups to help you reduce your risk of disease.
Below are guidelines for women ages 18 to 39. Guidelines for some conditions can vary by expert group depending on age, risk, and other factors. Talk with your healthcare provider. Make sure you’re up-to-date on what you need.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Alcohol misuse
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All adults age 18 and older
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All adults age 18 and older
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Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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Cervical cancer
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There are 2 screening tests to look for cervical cancer, a Pap test and an HPV test. Guidelines vary depending on expert group. The American College of Gynecologists (ACOG) advises starting screening at age 21.
Screening varies depending on your age and risk. Talk with your healthcare provider.
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ACOG advises women who are 21 to 29 to have a Pap test every 3 years.
Women ages 25 to 29 may have only HPV testing, but ACOG prefers Pap tests. American Cancer Society advises HPV testing starting at age 25, if you are at average risk. Talk with your provider about your risk.
Women ages 30 to 65 have more options. They may have a Pap and HPV test every 5 years. Or they can have only a Pap test every 3 years or only an HPV test every 5 years.
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Chlamydia
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Women who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:
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At routine yearly exams
If pregnant, during early prenatal care visit. Repeat in third trimester for women at higher risk.
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Depression
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All women in this age group
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Regularly, which may be at routine exams
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Diabetes mellitus, type 2
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Women with no symptoms who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more other risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years starting at age 35. Testing in pregnancy after the 24th week unless higher risk factors are present.
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Gonorrhea
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Women who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:
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At routine yearly exams
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Hepatitis C
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All adults age 18 and older
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At least once
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HIV
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All women
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Talk with your healthcare provider. The CDC recommends testing at least once for all people between age 13 and 64. For others at risk, testing may be advised yearly.
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Obesity
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All women in this age group
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At routine exams
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Syphilis
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Women who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your healthcare provider.
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Depends on risk and pregnancy status. All pregnant people will be screened during their first prenatal visit. Non-pregnant women will be screened if at increased risk.
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Tuberculosis
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Women who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your healthcare provider.
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Depends on risk. Talk with your healthcare provider.
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Vision
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All women in this age group
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At least every 2 years for those at low risk. Those at increased risk may be advised to be tested yearly.
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Health counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk
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Women at higher risk for a gene mutation
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When your risk is known
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Breast cancer and chemoprevention
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Women at high risk for breast cancer
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When your risk is known
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Diet and exercise
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Women who are overweight or obese
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When diagnosed, and then at routine exams
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Intimate partner violence
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All women in this age group
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Regularly, which may be at routine exams or by situation
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Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention
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Women who are sexually active
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At routine exams
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Skin cancer
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Women with pale skin
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At routine exams
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Use of tobacco and the health effects it can cause
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All women in this age group
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Regularly at routine visits
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