Essential Routine Checkups for Women | Women’s Health Dubai

Women’s Health Checkups

It’s no doubt that none of us loves the long queues or getting injected for tests. However, these health checkups are vital to determine risks and ensure our well-being.   

We have created the ultimate resource list with all the necessary screenings and tests to make being healthy a little easier for you. Bear in mind that your health history, family health history, lifestyle, and medications may overrule some of these guidelines.   

List of Recommended Health Checkups for Women by Age

1. Blood Pressure   
   Age: 18+   
   Frequency: Once Every 2 Years   

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], high blood pressure or hypertension is the leading cause of heart disease in women. It’s estimated that more than 56 million women in the United States suffer from hypertension.   

That’s why the American Heart Association [AHA] recommended blood pressure screening starting at 20. If your blood pressure is at its ideal reading [120 /80], then you must have regular checkups every two years until 40 and annually after that.  

As per the National Institute of Medicine [NIH], you should test for blood pressure every 3 to 5 years if:   

• Your blood pressure is in its normal range   
• You don’t have risk factors for hypertension   

However, you should get tested for hypertension annually if:   

• The top number [systolic] is between 120-130 mm Hg, or the bottom number [diastolic] number is between 70-79 mm Hg.  
• You’re overweight, suffer from diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or other medical illnesses.  
• You have first-degree relatives with hypertension.  
• You’re black.  
• You experienced hypertension during pregnancy.  

2. Breast Cancer Screening / Mammography   
   Age: 45+   
   Frequency: Every 2 Years   

Mammography is an X-ray imaging method that compresses breasts between plates to capture sharp images of the breast to detect cancer and other breast diseases. For long, there have been debates regarding when and how often women should undergo breast cancer screening. For instance, the latest update from the U.S. Preventive Services recommends that women should start screening by the age of 50. While women between 40 – 50 can make the individual choice to undergo mammography.   

On the contrary, the American Cancer Society [ACS] recommends women should start annual screening by 45 and must switch to biannual mammograms at 55. Women between 40 to 45 have the option to screen if they require.   

Although women below 45 aren’t recommended mammograms, they may be candidates for annual screening if their mother or sister had breast cancer at a young age. In such instances, women must begin mammography earlier than the age their family members were diagnosed. Additionally, women with other risk factors for breast cancer may also be candidates for breast cancer ultrasound or an MRI scan.   

Even though experts don’t agree with the self-breast exam and its effectiveness in detecting breast cancer or saving lives, women may conduct a monthly self-exam. Here are the three ways to perform a self-examination:   

• In the Shower: With flats of your three middle fingers, scan the entire breast and armpit by pressing down lightly with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month to find any lumps, thickening, hardened knots, or other breast variations.   
• In Front of a Mirror: Visually inspect your breasts with arms on your sides. Proceed to raise your arms high overhead. Evaluate for any swelling, dimpling in the skin, or any changes in the nipples. Next, place your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Since left and right breasts don’t match for most women, look for any dimpling, puckering, or variations on a particular side.   
• While Lying Down: Lay down to spread the breast tissue evenly across the chest area. Place a pillow behind your head and under your right shoulder and arm. Using your left hand, inspect your right breast and armpit by using light, medium, and firm pressure. Also, squeeze the nipples to check for any discharge and lumps. Repeat on the left side. 

Women who notice changes in their breasts must seek medical advice immediately.   

3. Cervical Cancer Screening   
   Age: 21+   
   Frequency: Every 3 Years   

Did you know that nearly 93% of cervical cancers are preventable? Regular cervical cancer screening, along with HPV vaccination, is regarded as the best prevention against cervical cancer. Although HPV vaccination is highly effective, it doesn’t prevent all HPV infections. That’s why it’s important to test even if you’re vaccinated.   

You need a cervical cancer screening if:   

• You’re a woman or individual with a cervix   
• You’re between 25 and 74 years   
• You’ve had sexual intercourse with an individual regardless of their gender  

The guidelines for cervical cancer screening are as follows:   

• Cervical cancer screening must begin at 21 years.   
• After the initial test, women between 21 and 29 must have a Pap test every three years. HPV testing is not recommended for this age category.   
• After the first test, women between 30 and 65 must screen for cervical cancer with either a Pap test every three years or an HPV test every five years, or both tests every five years [cotesting].   
• Women who have been treated for precancer should also continue to have Pap tests for 20 years or until 65, whichever is longer.   
• If a woman has had her uterus or cervix removed and has not been diagnosed with cervical cancer, she may also not need Pap smears.   

4. Cholesterol   
   Age: 45+   
   Frequency: Every 5 Years   

Typically, cholesterol screening must begin at 45 unless there’re no known risk factors for coronary artery diseases. Repeated tests must be taken if:   

• Every five years for women with normal cholesterol levels.  
• If frequent lifestyle changes have occurred [weight gain or diet].  
• If diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or other medical illnesses.  

5. Diabetes   
   Age: 35+   
   Frequency: Every 3 Years   

According to the National Institute of Medicine [NIH], women should start screening for diabetes at 35 and repeat every three years if they don’t have any risk factors for diabetes.   

Screening may start earlier or be repeated frequently if they’re associated risk factors like:   

• They have a first-degree relative with diabetes   
• They are overweight/obese   
• They suffer from high blood pressure, prediabetes, or have a history of heart diseases   

Moreover, the American Diabetes Association [ADA] also suggests women who are planning for pregnancy should screen for diabetes. Whereas pregnant women should be assessed for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.   

6. Dental Exam  
   Age: 18+   
   Frequency: Every 6 Months   

Good dental health is vital for overall well-being. It’s recommended women should visit their dentist every six months for examination and cleaning. The doctor will evaluate to inform if more visits are necessary.  

7. Eye Exam   
   Age: 18+   
   Frequency: Every 2 Years   

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 90% of all blindness and vision detriments can be prevented if detected early. It’s recommended that women get tested every two years if they have any vision problems and every year for a retina examination if they have diabetes. 

8. Heart Health   
   Age: 45+   
   Frequency: Every 2 Years   

Women over 45 are recommended to conduct regular heart health checks every two years. Medical history of the family, personal medical history, and lifestyle may also show risks for heart disease.  

9. Immunizations   

Immunizations or vaccinations are necessary for strengthening the immune system. Important vaccines include:   

• Flu Shot [every year]   
• Tetanus-Diphtheria & Acellular Pertussis Vaccine [at or after 19 if they didn’t receive it as an adolescent]   
• Varicella Vaccine [in two doses if they haven’t had chickenpox]   
• Hepatitis B Vaccine [in 2,3 or 4 doses depending on individual situations]   
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine [in one or two doses if they’re already immune to MMR]   
• HPV Vaccine [if they haven’t received HPV vaccine in the past or haven’t completed the vaccine series]   
• Pneumococcal Vaccine [recommended for 50 years and older]   
• Shingles [recommended for 60 years and older]   
• Pertussis or Whooping Cough [recommended at 50 years, again at 65 years, and if women are pregnant]   

10. Sexually Transmitted Diseases [STDs]  
    Age: 18+  
    Frequency: Based on Sexual Activity   

Guidelines for STD screening are as follows:   

• All women between 15 and 65 must get a one-time test for HIV.   
• All women between 18 and 79 must get a one-time test for hepatitis C.  
• Sexually active women should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea until 25.   
• Sexually active women above 25 should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea if at high risk.  
• Pregnant women must be screened for hepatitis C at every pregnancy.   

Women should also be screened for infections like syphilis and others based on their lifestyle and medical history.   

11. Skin Exam  
Age: 18+   
Frequency: Annually   

Women are recommended to conduct a skin examination every year, especially if they fall under the high-risk category. Risk factors for skin cancer include:   

• If they have had skin cancer previously   
• If they have close relatives with skin cancer  
• If they have a weakened immune system  

Contact a medical professional immediately if:   

• New spots or moles appear   
• Changes occur to existing spots or moles [in color, size, shape, and thickness]   
• Crusty sores don’t heal   
• Small lumps that are red, pale, or pearly in color appear  

12. Other Tests   

Other important tests include:   

• Colon Cancer Screening: Women must be screened for colon cancer if they’re 65 and older. However, they can be screened earlier if they have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps or if she suffers from inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.   
• Women over 64 must also be tested for their bone density.   

We hope this detailed guide helps you achieve your best health.