Preventive care: women 18-39

The path to a long and healthy life

Regular medical checkups and screenings are a must, not a maybe. Certain diseases can go unnoticed in your body until something bad happens like a heart attack, stroke or cancer. Regular checkups and screenings can find a health condition early before it gets to that critical point.

Adult Screening Guidelines

General Medical Checkup
To screen for diseases and assess your risk for future health issues.
Frequency - Every year
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Blood Test and Urinalysis
To detect any underlying health issues.
Frequency – Ask your doctor, every 3 years*

Blood Pressure Test
To identify abnormally high blood pressure, which can seriously affect your health.
Frequency – Normal blood pressure: every 2 years, pressure between 120/80 and 139/89: every year, or blood pressure 140/90 or higher: ask your doctor

Clinical Breast Exam
To identify breast cancer early.
Frequency – Every 3 years starting at age 20-39

Dental Exam/Oral Screening
To check for signs of oral cancer or precancerous conditions.
Frequency – At least 1-2 times a year

Genetic Testing
To evaluate your risk for developing certain health problems (or passing them on to your children).
Frequency – Ask your doctor

Hearing Screening
To identify hearing issues.
Frequency – Every 10 years starting at age 18

HIV Test 
To determine if you have been infected with HIV.
Frequency - At least once, and for every pregnancy*

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
To help prevent cervical cancer. Often done with a Pap test.
Frequency – Every 5 years at age 30 and older*

Pap Test
To look for warning signs of cervical cancer. Often done with an HPV test.
Frequency – Every 3 years starting from ages 21-29, then every 5 years*

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Tests
To prevent the spread of STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis).
Frequency – Every year (if you are sexually active, pregnant or at risk)

Skin Cancer Screening
To detect skin cancer early.
Frequency – Every year (may be part of medical check-up or with a dermatologist)

Vision Screening
To test your vision and screen for eye diseases.
Frequency – Ask your doctor, baseline exam at age 40*

Adult Immunization Guidelines

Influenza vaccine (flu shot)
Protects against some flu viruses
Frequency – Every year

Hepatitis A
Protects against hepatitis A
Frequency – 2 or 3 doses*

Hepatitis B

Protects against hepatitis B
Frequency – 3 doses*

HPV (Human papillomavirus)

Protects against cancers caused by the HPV infection
3 doses between ages 19-26*

Meningococcal

Protects against meningitis
Frequency – 1 or more doses*

MMR
Protects against measles, mumps and rubella
Frequency – 1 or 2 doses up to age 60*

Pneumococcal vaccine
Protects against pneumonia
Frequency - 1 dose at age 19 and older*

Td/Tdap
Protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
Frequency - Every 10 years and for every pregnancy

Varicella
Protects against chickenpox
Frequency - 2 doses for ages 19 or older*

*These recommendations are guidelines only (sources: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, womenshealth.gov) and may vary based on individual factors. Talk with your doctor about what screenings are right for you.