Female Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 18 to 39

Alcohol misuse

All adults

At routine exams

Blood pressure

All adults

Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your doctor.

Cervical cancer

Guidelines vary depending on expert group.

Screening varies depending on your age and risk. Talk with your doctor.

American Cancer Society advises screening starting at age 25, if you are at average risk. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

A primary human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years, a cotest (an HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. In some cases, you may be able to collect your own HPV test sample and be tested every 3 years. Talk with your doctor about your risks and whether you need screening more often.

Chlamydia

Those who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:

• Age 24 or younger
• Age 25 or older and at higher risk for infection

At routine yearly exams

If pregnant, during early prenatal care visit. Repeat in third trimester for those at higher risk.

Depression

All those in this age group

Regularly, which may be at routine exams

Diabetes mellitus, type 2

Those with no symptoms who are overweight or who have obesity and have one or more other risk factors for diabetes

At least every 3 years starting at age 35. Testing in pregnancy after the 24th week unless higher risk factors are present.

Gonorrhea

Those who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:

• Age 24 or younger
• Age 25 or older and at higher risk for infection

At routine yearly exams

Hepatitis C

All adults

At least once

HIV

All adults

Talk with your doctor. The CDC recommends testing at least once for all people between age 13 and 64. For others at risk, testing may be advised yearly.

Obesity

All those in this age group

At routine exams

Syphilis

Those who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your doctor.

Depends on risk and pregnancy status. Anyone who is pregnant will be screened during their first prenatal visit. Those who are not pregnant will be screened if at increased risk.

Tuberculosis

Those who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your doctor.

Depends on risk. Talk with your doctor.

Vision

All those in this age group

At least every 2 years for those at low risk. Those at increased risk may be advised to be tested yearly.

BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk

Those at higher risk for a gene mutation

When your risk is known

Breast cancer and chemoprevention

Those at high risk for breast cancer

When your risk is known

Diet and exercise

Those who are overweight or who have obesity

When diagnosed, and then at routine exams

Intimate partner violence

Everyone in this age group

Regularly, which may be at routine exams or by situation

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention

Those who are sexually active

At routine exams

Skin cancer

Those with pale skin

At routine exams

Use of tobacco and the health effects it can cause

Everyone in this age group

Regularly at routine visits