Health Checkups for Women: Brief Version

How often should I get a checkup?

Here are guidelines for how often you should get a routine checkup. If have any ongoing health problems, you will see your health care provider more often. You should also contact or see your provider when you are feeling sick.

If you are 18 to 39 years old:

Once a year, you should have:

• A breast exam.
• A Pap test. (After you have had 3 normal Pap smears, ask your health care provider about how often you should have it done.)

Every 2 to 3 years, you should have:

• A blood pressure check.
• A height and weight measurement.
• An exam to look for cancers of the thyroid, lymph nodes, ovaries, and skin.

Every 5 years, you should have a:

• Cholesterol check.
• Blood sugar check if you are overweight.

Make sure you are up to date on your shots.

• Make sure you have had your rubella (measles) shot.
• Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
• Ask your health care provider if you should get a flu shot every year.

If you are 40 to 65 years old:

Once a year, you should have:

• An exam to look for cancers of the breast, skin, thyroid, cervix, ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes, and rectum.

Every 1 to 2 years, you should have:

• A height and weight measurement.
• A blood pressure check.
• A stool sample checked for blood if recommended by your health care provider.
• A mammogram. (After you're 50 years old, you should have a mammogram every year.)
• An eye exam (with a check for glaucoma).

Every 1 to 3 years, you should have:

• A Pap test. (Ask your health care provider about how often you should have it done.)

Every 3 to 5 years, you should have a:

• Cholesterol check.
• Blood sugar check.

Your provider may recommend having a special test for colon cancer after age 50 every 10 years. The test is called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Make sure you are up to date on your shots.

• Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
• Get a flu shot every year if you are older than 50. If you are not 50 yet, ask your health care provider if you should get a flu shot.

If you are over 65 years old:

Every year, you should have:

• A height and weight measurement.
• A blood pressure check.
• A mammogram.
• An exam to look for cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes, and rectum.
• A stool sample checked for blood.

Every 1 to 3 years, your health care provider should:

• Check your blood count and blood sugar.
• Check your hearing and vision (with a check for glaucoma).
• Do a Pap test if you have had abnormal results before.

Your provider may recommend having a special test for colon cancer after age 50 every 10 years. The test is called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Get the shots you need:

• Get a flu shot every year.
• Get the pneumonia shot if you have not had one before.
• Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.

All women should remember the keys to keeping healthy.

• Check your breasts every month.
• Get regular checkups and the shots you need.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not drink alcohol when you drive, swim, or boat.
• Eat many kinds of healthy foods.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Exercise often.
• Get your teeth checked regularly by a dentist.
• Use a latex or polyurethane condom to help prevent the spread of infections you can get when you have sex.