women’s health

Preventive care is one of the most important tools for staying healthy as we age. While some screenings are specific to women—such as mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and bone density testing—many recommended health checks apply to everyone, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colorectal cancer screening, vaccines, and mental health care.

This checklist is a general guide for adults at average risk. Your personal recommendations may be different based on family history, symptoms, pregnancy history, menopause, smoking history, medical conditions, medications, or prior test results. A yearly wellness visit is a good time to review what screenings, vaccines, and lifestyle steps are right for you.

In Your 20s and 30s: Build the Foundation

Preventive health starts well before midlife. During these years, regular checkups help establish baselines for blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, reproductive and mental health, and lifestyle habits.

Women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21, unless their health care provider recommends otherwise based on their personal medical history. For people ages 21 to 29, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a Pap test every 3 years. For ages 30 to 65, screening options include a Pap test every 3 years, a high-risk HPV test every 5 years, or co-testing with both Pap and HPV every 5 years.

Sexual health is also part of preventive care. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Sexually active women younger than 25 should also be tested yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Women 25 and older may need annual testing depending on risk factors such as new or multiple partners.

Vaccines matter in adulthood, too. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination routinely at ages 11–12, catch-up vaccination through age 26, and shared decision-making for some adults ages 27–45 who were not previously vaccinated. Adults should also stay current with recommended vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, Tdap/Td, hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and others, based on age, health status, pregnancy, travel, work, or other risk factors.

Healthy habits built early pay off later. Aim for regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, tobacco avoidance, limited alcohol, sun protection, and routine dental and vision care. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activity.

In Your 40s: Add Cancer and Heart Health Conversations

Your 40s are an important time to take a closer look at cancer prevention, heart health, metabolism, and bone health — especially as perimenopause may begin for some women.

Breast cancer screening generally begins at age 40 for women at average risk. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammograms every other year from ages 40 through 74. Women with a strong family history, known genetic risk, prior chest radiation, dense breasts, or previous breast concerns should talk with a health care provider about whether earlier or more frequent screening is appropriate.

Heart health should also be a priority. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, body weight, smoking, diet, physical activity, and sleep are all important factors to review during preventive visits. After age 40, clinicians often use risk calculators to estimate the chance of heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes screening becomes especially important in midlife. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, with referral to effective preventive interventions when prediabetes is found.

This is also a good decade to discuss menstrual changes, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, urinary symptoms, sexual health, and family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, colorectal, or heart disease.

In Your 50s: Prioritize Colorectal, Breast, Bone, and Menopause Health

At age 45, colorectal cancer screening becomes a routine recommendation for adults at average risk. Screening options may include stool-based tests, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or CT colonography. Colonoscopy is one of the best-known options, and if results are normal, it is often repeated every 10 years; however, the right test and timing should be decided with a healthcare provider. Adults ages 45 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer, while screening for those ages 76 to 85 should be individualized.

Mammograms should continue through this decade, generally every other year for average-risk women ages 40 to 74 under U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidance. Cervical cancer screening should also generally continue through age 65 for women who still need this screening, depending on their health history and prior results.

Bone health deserves special attention after menopause, when declining estrogen can accelerate bone loss. Calcium and vitamin D are both important for maintaining strong bones. Not getting enough calcium can cause the body to draw calcium from bones over time, weakening them and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise, strength training, fall prevention, and not smoking also support bone health.

This is also the decade when many women experience menopause. Preventive visits are a good time to talk about hot flashes, sleep, mood, weight changes, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, sexual comfort, cardiovascular risk, and bone density risk.

In Your 60s and Beyond: Focus on Strength, Independence, and Early Detection

Women age 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis with bone density testing, usually with a DXA scan. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 may also need screening if they have risk factors such as low body weight, parental history of hip fracture, smoking, excess alcohol use, or other clinical risks.

Preventive care in this stage should also include fall risk, balance, muscle strength, medications, vision, hearing, dental health, memory concerns, mood, sleep, nutrition, and social connection. For adults 65 and older, regular physical activity should include aerobic exercise, muscle-strengthening activity, and balance activities each week.

Vaccines become increasingly important with age. Depending on age and medical history, adults may need shingles vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, flu vaccination every year, updated COVID-19 vaccination, RSV vaccination, and other vaccines based on individual risk. The CDC adult immunization schedule is updated regularly, so vaccine needs should be reviewed at least once a year.

Some adults may also qualify for lung cancer screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual low-dose CT screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

Preventive Care for Every Age

Some health checks are important throughout adulthood. Blood pressure should be checked regularly, and high readings should be confirmed outside the clinical setting before treatment begins. Depression screening is also recommended for adults, including pregnant and postpartum women and adults age 65 and older, with follow-up evaluation and care when screening is positive.

At every age, ask your health care provider about:

• Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, and heart health
• Cervical, breast, colorectal, lung, and skin cancer screening when appropriate
• Vaccines based on age, pregnancy, health conditions, job, travel, and risk factors
• Sexual health, HIV/STI testing, and contraception or pregnancy planning when relevant
• Bone health, especially after menopause
• Nutrition, including calcium, vitamin D, protein, fiber, and hydration
• Physical activity, strength training, balance, and fall prevention
• Tobacco, alcohol, sleep, stress, and mental health
• Medication review, especially for older adults

Preventive care is not one-size-fits-all. The best checklist is one you review regularly with a trusted health care provider—one that reflects your age, body, family history, lifestyle, and goals for healthy aging.