Primary Care

Believe in Better Health Toolkit

Women's Guidelines for Health - for Women 20- 49 Years

Use this chart...

to help guide your checkups with your healthcare provider. This information was compiled from recommendations made by various healthcare organizations and generally applies to healthy individuals without a specific disease or additional risk factors.

Talk with your physician...

to discuss and understand your personal health guidelines since recommendations can vary depending on your situation. Your discussion should include a personal or family history of heart disease or stroke, cancer, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and other important medical conditions.

Changes for a Healthier Lifestyle

Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight are associated with a host of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers. Making lifestyle changes now can help prevent these diseases and could help reduce the risk of premature death. The key, of course, is committing to lifestyle modifications for the long term.

Don’t smoke
Even modest amounts of weight loss can help decrease the risk of most diseases associated with obesity
Aim for a diet that is low in fat and sodium and high in fiber
Regular exercise not only reduces stress and helps promote weight loss but can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve musculoskeletal functioning, and help prevent diabetes and bone loss associated with aging
Women need to consume adequate amounts of calcium, iron and folate to remain in good health
Limit your alcohol intake

The information on this page is not intended as medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for individual medical judgment by a physician or other medical healthcare professional. The aim is to provide information and help in establishing guidelines for preventive care. Remember, always consult a healthcare provider for individualized advice on your health decisions.

Guide to Health Checkups for Women 20- 49 Years

Test	Recommended Frequency
Weight	Annually
Blood Pressure	At least every 1-2 years
Cholesterol	At least once every 5 years
Immunizations	Tetanus-diphtheria: Every 10 years Measles/Varicella: Please discuss these and other vaccinations if you are considering pregnancy
Clinical Breast Exam	Annual exam by health care provider * Monthly self-exam
Mammography	Age 40 and older: Annually
Pelvic Exam/Pap Smear	Every 1-3 years
Diabetes Screening	Every 3 years or per healthcare provider
Eye Exam	Over age 40: Every 2-4 years as indicated

* If you think you are at high risk for breast cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about the frequency of clinical breact examination and mammography.

These recommendations are compiled from multiple local and national sources, which may sometimes vary in their specific details. Risk factors may also change recommendations. Discuss with your physician and understand how these recommendations apply to your individual health profile; January 2002.
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Provided as an educational service by Strong Health in cooperation with Pfizer, Inc, 2002

The University of Rochester Medical Center’s
commitment to help Rochester
become America’s healthiest community
by 2020

(complete index of Believe in Better Health Toolkit files offered on this Web site with links to printable versions)