Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

Reading Time: 2 min

There’s a reason why a routine health exam can feel, well, routine. That’s because these appointments establish a baseline of your overall health while screening for specific diseases. However, the tests you need may change depending on where you are in life — especially if you’re a woman.

Our providers at All Day Medical Care Clinic offer personalized and primary care services for people at every stage of life. If you’re scheduling a women’s health appointment, here’s how we personalize your care for your unique needs.

Vitals

Every women’s health appointment starts by capturing general vital information, such as weight and blood pressure.

Depending on your overall health and personal risks, we could also recommend additional screenings to check for signs of high cholesterol or diabetes.

Sexually transmitted diseases

If you’re sexually active, we could recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you fit any of these categories, STD testing could be recommended.

  • Being under age 25 and sexually active
  • Having a history of STDs
  • Engaging in sexual activity with a new partner or if you have multiple partners
  • Having a sexual partner who has multiple partners or an STD
  • Engaging in sexual activity without regular condom use

You should also undergo HIV/AIDS testing at least once after turning age 20 or earlier if you’re at risk.

Cervical cancer screenings

Women ages 21-65 should undergo regular screenings — or Pap tests — for cervical cancer. The frequency of this test varies, depending on your age and risk factors. So, it can occur anywhere from once a year to once every five years.

Breast cancer screenings

Your woman’s health exam also includes checking for breast cancer. Women under age 40 typically have a manual breast exam performed by their provider. However, by no later than age 50, you should also undergo regular digital mammogram screenings to watch for changes within your breast tissue. These screenings usually continue through at least age 74.

We could recommend mammogram screenings earlier or more frequently, depending on your risk of developing breast cancer.

Bone density screenings

Unfortunately, osteoporosis is a serious problem for women as they age, putting them at risk of suffering broken bones. To avoid future issues, we perform regular bone density tests to determine bone mass. Based on our findings, we can make the appropriate recommendations to help protect your bones as you age.

In most cases, bone density screenings begin after menopause or at least by age 65. However, we could perform this test earlier based on your risk factors for osteoporosis.

Colorectal cancer screenings

When you exclude skin cancer, colorectal cancer tops the list as the most common cancer affecting people in the United States. Fortunately, incidence rates have started dropping each year because of regular colorectal cancer screenings.

For women at average risk of colorectal cancer, we recommend regular testing between ages 50-75. Like all screenings, we modify these general guidelines based on your personal risks.

Lung cancer screenings

Do you smoke? Have you smoked in the past? We could recommend lung cancer testing if you are between ages 55-80 and:

  • Currently smoke
  • Have smoked approximately a pack a day for 30 years
  • Have quit smoking within 15 years

We can also help create a strategy to help you quit if you would like to stop smoking for good.

To learn more about the women’s health screenings you need to protect your health, book an appointment online or over the phone with All Day Medical Care Clinic today.

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

Autor

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

This article was prepared with the All Day Medical Care Clinic Team and its experienced clinic providers, ensuring accurate and reliable health information.

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

Studies show that almost half of all American adults experience some type of mental illness at some point. Mental disorders can develop...
Read More

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

Confess how often you ignore preventive visits to your doctor's office, when you are feeling well, and nothing is bothering...
Read More

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Very often patients come to a neurologist with dizziness. Indeed, no one has ever experienced it. This term describes a...
Read More

How Mental Health Issues Affect Men Differently

Men's mental health issues affect them differently due to various societal, biological, and cultural factors. Men are often expected to...
Read More

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Heart health screenings are very important for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, which are leading causes of morbidity...
Read More

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

With the fall, the human body is exposed to increased stress. The rapid changes in temperature, decreased sunlight and high...
Read More

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

Sexually transmitted diseases, STIs and STDs (sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases) are a widespread problem. World Health Organization...
Read More

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

If the idea of group therapy has left you feeling embarrassed or intimidated, we have good news for you: Group therapy...
Read More

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Soreness and throat infection are two entirely different maladies with different pathogens and remedies. It is important to tell the...
Read More

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

No one ever said being a parent was easy. But it can be even more challenging when your child has...
Read More

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

Autumn is a time when our bodies need support. Decreased sunlight, colder temperatures, and higher humidity create favorable conditions for...
Read More

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

Advancements in technology have made it possible to get medical care as easily as possible. In fact, thanks to virtual “telemedicine”...
Read More

The Importance of Self-Care In Managing Stress

Depending on the severity of the stress, the recovery process is different, but it always starts with conscious attention to...
Read More

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

It’s no secret that your blood pressure plays a big role in your heart health, but do you know why?...
Read More

Effective Heat Rash Treatment and Prevention

Heat rash, or prickly heat, is a condition caused by blocked sweat ducts. It often appears as a red, bumpy...
Read More

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

People often think about health conditions individually. For instance, you have insomnia, or you have depression, and you seek treatment...
Read More

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

Pets bring their owners a lot of joy and pleasure, but they can also cause a lot of trouble, so...
Read More

How to Cope with Chronic Illness During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is always associated with joy and happiness, but for people with chronic conditions, this time can be...
Read More

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

Health problems often come out of nowhere, especially when they involve an injury. However, whether you have a fever that...
Read More

5 Steps for Heart Health: Fight Coronary Disease

What is CAD? CAD, also called heart disease, or coronary heart disease, causes roughly 735,000 hearts attacks and leads to...
Read More

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

In 2018, an estimated 68 million people in the United States had an STD, or sexually transmitted disease. Unfortunately, that number was...
Read More

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

There’s a reason why a routine health exam can feel, well, routine. That’s because these appointments establish a baseline of...
Read More

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

Anger is a healthy emotion, and most of us get mad at times. This reaction can occur for various reasons,...
Read More

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

Modern life is busy and exciting and goes by at a quick pace. However, health care often becomes an afterthought,...
Read More

Erectile Dysfunction – Everything You Need to Know

Erectile dysfunction, unlike other health problems of men, occupies a special place. Due to the intimate nature of the pathology,...
Read More

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

About ADHD ADHD, also known as adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects 4.4% of American adults aged 18-44 (NAMI, 2023)....
Read More

See Your Doctor from the Comfort of Your Home

At All Day Medical Care Clinic in Gaithersburg and Silver Spring, Maryland, we’re open for in-office visits. However, our team is also accepting new...
Read More

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

Do you know that stress has a great impact on human health, and in most cases, in a negative way?...
Read More

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

No one wants to get sick, and that goes double when it involves influenza (flu). This highly contagious respiratory infection often...
Read More

Types of Work Injuries

Did you know that someone gets an injury on the job every seven seconds in the United States? To provide a little...
Read More

The Importance of Getting Your Women’s Health Screening

It can be hard to keep up with the demands of everyday life, especially if you feel pulled in numerous...
Read More

What to Expect During Your First Well-Woman Exam

There’s no specific age to begin having well-woman visits. You might start having these critical annual checkups as a teenager, or...
Read More

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Did you know 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure? This condition, also known as hypertension, is especially dangerous, because people...
Read More

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

After deciding to take up long-distance running, everyone asks: where to start and what are the best running safety tips?...
Read More

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

The speed of modern life is increasing day by day, and psychological and emotional stress is growing along with it....
Read More

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV? It is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants and causes >50,000 hospitalizations...
Read More

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

It’s no secret that losing weight is hard. However, weight management programs give you the tools and confidence you need...
Read More

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Noncardiac chest pain is a frequent reason to visit a doctor, as it can indicate serious diseases of the lungs, digestive...
Read More

What is Common Cold?

Common cold illnesses tend to affect the upper parts of the respiratory tract, mainly the sinus cavities and throat. Cold...
Read More

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Children are naturally curious and social, making schools a hotspot for the spread of infections. While classrooms provide an ideal...
Read More

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to start when it comes to taking care of your mental...
Read More

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Bringing a baby home comes with magical milestones and unexpected twists and turns. But, there’s one thing you can expect:...
Read More

Guide to Treatment-Resistant STDs for Active Adults

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be a source of stigma and embarrassment, and, unfortunately, this often keeps people from getting...
Read More

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

What is Trauma? Trauma is an emotional response to a terrifying and dangerous event, which threatens and harms an individual’s...
Read More

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

Like most emotions, frustration isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, experiencing some frustration from time to time can spur creativity...
Read More

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Unlock the true potential of your well-being by embracing the power of healthy relationships! Imagine a life filled with joy,...
Read More

What Is the Difference Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health?

While often used interchangeably, behavioral health vs mental health are distinct concepts. Mental wellness pertains to your psychological well-being, encompassing...
Read More

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living

7 Habits for Your Heart-Healthy Living A healthy heart needs a healthy lifestyle. That doesn't mean you should rush to...
Read More

15 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young and Healthy

Like any complex mechanism, our brain requires attention and care, so that even in older age it continues to operate...
Read More

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Anxiety is a constant companion in our lives. This emotion is built into us by nature to warn us and...
Read More

We'll text you

Enter your info and we’ll text you shortly.

By clicking Send, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and I consent to receiving text messages from this practice acknowledging that data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.