April 2024

Take Care of You: A Wellness Guide for Women

Ladies, you are the masters of multitasking. But amid juggling life’s responsibilities and taking care of others, your own wellness might slip to the bottom of the to-do list. Take this as an important reminder: Your health matters, too!

Below, we compiled the ultimate care package for your health with screenings and recommendations. Use this as a starting point—your healthcare provider can help fine-tune it to fit your unique needs.

Care for all ages

• Annual well-woman visit. This is a full checkup focused on preventive care. Remember to ask whether your vaccines are up to date.

• Visual acuity test and dilated eye exam. Check with your eye doctor—you may need eye exams yearly.

• Screening for anxiety and depression. At regular visits, talk openly with your provider about your emotions.

• Diabetes blood test. If you show symptoms or are at risk for diabetes, your provider may recommend this test.

• HIV blood test or saliva test. Everyone should be tested at least once.

Tests in your 20s and 30s

• Blood pressure: at least once a year

• Cholesterol: at least every 4 to 6 years

• Pap test and/or HPV test: every 3 to 5 years, depending on the test

Tests in your 40s and 50s

• Blood pressure: at least once a year

• Cholesterol: at least every 4 to 6 years

• Pap test and/or HPV test: every 3 to 5 years, depending on the test

• Colonoscopy: every 10 years, starting at age 45

• Mammogram: you may have the option to start mammograms at age 40. Talk with your provider about when to start and how often you need them. 

• Bone density test: after menopause

Tests in your 60s

• Blood pressure: at least once a year

• Cholesterol: at least every 4 to 6 years

• Pap test and/or HPV test: every 3 to 5 years, depending on the test (you may be able to stop screening after age 65)

• Colonoscopy: every 10 years

• Mammogram: every 1 to 2 years, depending on your preferences and your provider’s recommendation.

• Bone density test: starting at age 65 or earlier if you’ve gone through menopause

Pregnancy and postpartum tests

• Gestational diabetes: at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later

• Diabetes: within a year after pregnancy, if you had gestational diabetes