Medical Tests You Must Take As a Woman

Have you ever wondered why some women do not visit the hospital? And you don't find them complaining of this health problem or that health problem. They seem like perfect health machines, never fatigued, always on the go. Women who really care about their health perform these medical tests.

CLINICAL BREAST EXAM AND MAMMOGRAM
Both types of screening can detect breast cancer. Starting when you're age 20, your doctor should manually examine your breasts. By age 40, you should have a mammogram (an X-ray of the breasts) once a year.

PAP SMEAR
It is the tested-and-true way to detect cervical cancer in time to treat it effectively. Beginning at least by age 21, If you've had several normal Paps in a row and a negative human-papillomavirus (HPV) test, get tested every other year. If you're a smoker, have multiple sexual partners, began having intercourse at a young age, are HIV-positive, or have a sexually transmitted disease, have a Pap annually. If you are 30 or older, ask your doctor to test for HPV.

DIABETES
Who needs testing? People who are obese or who have high cholesterol, hypertension, frequent thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, or a family history of diabetes.

How often? Annually, if your first test results are normal.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE
Who needs testing? Women who are trying to get pregnant, who have a new partner, who engage in unprotected sex, or who experience unusual vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding, or pain during intercourse.
How often? Annually; every three to six months if you have a new sexual partner.

OVARIAN CANCER
For Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer or ongoing pelvic pain.