Specialists in Family Medicine | Susan C. King MD | Board Certified Family Physician

Womens Health Needs

Screening Guidelines

Check the guidelines listed here to find out about important screening tests for women. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Dr. King and Janet will personalize the timing of the screening tests you need based on many factors unique to you. If you don’t understand why a certain test is recommended for you, Dr. King and Janet will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Don’t forget to check with your insurance plan to find out which tests are covered.

Screening Tests	18-39	40-49	50-64	65 and older
Blood Pressure Test	Get tested at least every 2 years if you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80). Get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89. Discuss treatment with your doctor or nurse if you have blood pressure 140/90 or higher.	Get tested at least every 2 years if you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80). Get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89. Discuss treatment with your doctor or nurse if you have blood pressure 140/90 or higher.	Get tested at least every 2 years if you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80). Get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89. Discuss treatment with your doctor or nurse if you have blood pressure 140/90 or higher.	Get tested at least every 2 years if you have normal blood pressure (lower than 120/80). Get tested once a year if you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89. Discuss treatment with your doctor or nurse if you have blood pressure 140/90 or higher.
Bone Mineral Density Test			Discuss with your doctor or nurse if you are at risk for osteoporosis.	Get this test at least once at age 65 or older. Talk to your doctor or nurse about repeat testing.
Breast Cancer Screening (mammogram)		Starting at age 40, get screened every year.	Get screened every year.	Get screened every 2 years through age 74. Age 74 and older, ask your doctor or nurse if you need to be screened.
Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap test)	Get a Pap test every 3 years if you are 21 or older, have had vaginal sex, and have a cervix.	Get a Pap test every 3 years if you have had vaginal sex, and have a cervix.	Get a Pap test every 3 years if you have had vaginal sex, and have a cervix.	Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to get a Pap test.
Chlamydia	Get tested for chlamydia yearly through age 24 if you are sexually active or pregnant. Age 25 and older, get tested for chlamydia if you are at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.	Get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.	Get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk.	Get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and at increased risk.
Cholesterol Test	Starting at age 20, get a cholesterol test regularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you need your cholesterol tested.	Get a cholesterol test regularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you need your cholesterol tested.	Get a cholesterol test regularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you need your cholesterol tested.	Get a cholesterol test regularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you need your cholesterol tested.
Colorectal Cancer Screening			Starting at age 45, get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor or nurse about which screening test is best for you and how often you need it.	Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75. Talk to your doctor or nurse about which screening test is best for you and how often you need it.
Diabetes Screening	Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure.	Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure.	Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure.	Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure.
Gonorrhea Test	Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.	Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk, pregnant or not pregnant.	Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk.	Get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk.
HIV Test	Get tested if you are at increased risk for HIV. Discuss your risk with your doctor or nurse. All pregnant women need to be tested for HIV.	Get tested if you are at increased risk for HIV. Discuss your risk with your doctor or nurse. All pregnant women need to be tested for HIV.	Get tested if you are at increased risk for HIV. Discuss your risk with your doctor or nurse.	Get tested if you are at increased risk for HIV. Discuss your risk with your doctor or nurse.
Syphilis Test	Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk or pregnant.	Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk or pregnant.	Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk.	Get tested for syphilis if you are at increased risk.