What To Know When To Go: A Timeline of Women's Health Issues

The foundation of good health is prevention, but with ever-changing guidelines and opinions, it can be challenging to keep track of when and why you really need to see your health care provider. The best advice is to eat well, be active, take care of your mental health and establish a relationship with a health care provider you trust. A provider can have an open and honest discussion with you about your body. Women experience many unique health issues and we need to educate ourselves to learn about proven, scientific-based methods to improve our health and prevent disease. It is always best to work with your primary care provider to create a prevention plan designed for you.

Timeline of Women's Health Issues <sidebar with It’s YOUR Body article>

The foundation of good health is prevention, but with ever changing guidelines and opinions, it can be challenging to keep track of when and why you really need to see your health care provider. The best advice is to eat well, be active, take care of your mental health and establish a relationship with a health care provider you trust. A provider can have an open and honest discussion with you about your body. Women experience many unique health issues and we need to educate ourselves to learn about proven, scientific-based methods to improve our health and prevent disease. It is always best to work with your primary care provider to create a prevention plan designed for you.

SCREENINGS: SCREENINGS:

Health Condition Screening 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s Frequency Breast cancer Mammogram ü ü ü Annual*; to age 75 Colon Cancer Colonoscopy ü ü ü Every 10 years*; to age 75 Cervical Cancer Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear ü ü ü ü ü Every three years 21-30 Every five years if also tested for HPV

Osteoporosis Bone Density Test Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) chlamydia and gonorrhea ü Every 2-3 years* ü ü ü ü ü Annual with new or multiple sex partners

Heart disease and stroke Blood Pressure ü ü ü ü ü Annual

Heart disease and stroke Cholesterol ü ü ü ü ü Every 4-6 years*

Diabetes Type 2 Fasting blood glucose or A1c Skin Cancer Visual skin exam Lung Cancer X-Ray

Oral Care Dentist visit/cleaning * ü ü *Every year for smokers or previous smokers to age 80 ü ü ü ü ü Twice annually for cleaning

VACCINES: VACCINES:

HPV

20 30 40 50 60 ü ü ü 3 doses Flu ü ü ü ü ü Annual COVID-19 ü ü ü ü ü * Tetanus ü ü ü ü ü Every 10 years Shingles ü ü 2 doses Pneumonia ü Multiple doses

*Discuss with your provider as family history and risk factors will be taken in to consideration. References: *Discuss with your provider as family history and risk factors will be taken in to consideration. https://www.heart.org/-/media/Healthy-Living-Files/LE8-Fact-Sheets/LE8_Eat_Better_Fact_Sheet.pdf References: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/womens-health-specialists-infographic_n_1515668 https://www.heart.org/-/media/Healthy-Living-Files/LE8-Fact-Sheets/LE8_Eat_Better_Fact_Sheet.pdf https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-living-age https://www.huffpost.com/entry/womens-health-specialists-infographic_n_1515668 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/womens-health.htm https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-living-age https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/womens-health.htm Information compiled by Monica Rush, Director of Rehabilitation Services, Wound Care, Residency and Dental, Penn State Health St. Joseph, and Krista Schenkel, DO, Penn State Health St. Joseph