Every year you file your taxes, celebrate your birthday, and take a regular vacation.

What about your health? As a woman, what should you be doing on a consistent basis to ensure you stay healthy? We’re told to exercise regularly, eat properly, and quit smoking, but what about routine medical tests?

Let’s look at annual checks you should be doing, so you can achieve and maintain your healthiest self.

Don’t Wait to See the Doctor

When life gets busy, it’s easy to avoid scheduling medical appointments until something is wrong. It’s important to see your family doctor on a more regular basis, and not wait and visit only when you’re sick or you suspect something is wrong. 

Regular medical appointments can provide assurance that you’re maintaining good health, and perhaps provide an early warning to any health concerns. It’s also an opportunity to ask your doctor questions and get advice and guidance. 

Some women get a physical exam every year, but your doctor will provide advice on checkups as well as the timing for the health screenings we will discuss. It can depend on your age and family history, as well as your medical history.¹

Annual Checks You Should Be Doing

Seeing your doctor on a regular basis will help establish and monitor some of your baseline health statistics, and to watch for any changes. For instance, your doctor should perform a physical exam, measuring your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. The doctor will also check your heart, lungs, and abdomen for any irregularities or changes.² 

A regular checkup will also go through your medical history along with your family background, review any medications, go over your concerns, and allow you to ask questions.² It’s a good idea to take a notebook where you’ve jotted down your questions and where you can note the answers and any other guidance from your doctor. 

Then these are some common annual checks you should be doing, remembering that these can vary depending on your age, medical history, family background, and other factors. Confirm the annual checks with your doctor on a regular basis. 

Pelvic Health 

Pelvic health is a vital part of our overall health, so you will likely undergo a number of exams depending on your age. 

A pelvic exam assesses overall wellness as well as your reproductive health, so the doctor will look for any abnormalities in your cervix, uterus, and ovaries. You will undergo a Pap smear on a regular basis, and you may also get an HPV test to look for the human papilloma virus, which can lead to cervical cancer. You may also be screened for sexually transmitted diseases.²

You should also talk to your doctor about protecting your sexual health. For instance, ask about the best birth control method for you, talk to the doctor about your period, and raise any concerns like trouble conceiving, or a low sex drive.¹

If you’re entering the age of menopause, you may have blood work to confirm that, and then be sure to get as much information as you can about the changes that will occur in this natural stage of life.¹

Breast Health

Examining your breasts should be done on a regular basis. You can do this monthly by yourself, and your healthcare provider should perform a clinical breast exam to check for lumps or abnormalities too. Depending on age and family history, at some point you will be put on a regular schedule for a mammogram.²

Blood Work

Another set of tests involves screening for health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and other conditions. 

Tests as You Age

Tests change as you age. Here are some that are performed more often for older women:

• A bone density test: This checks the level of your bone density, since the denser your bones, the less likely they are to break. The general guideline is to start by age 65 and repeat at least every three years.³

• Hearing test: Don’t let poor hearing impact your quality of life. It’s suggested women are tested every 10 years until age 50, then annually after age 60.³

• Eye exam: It’s suggested adults have their eyes examined every two years until the age of 60, unless you have a condition like diabetes. Beginning at age 61, you should get an annual eye exam.³

• Colonoscopy: Existing conditions or family history can impact the frequency of this test as well, but regular screenings should begin at age 45.³

• Other doctor appointments: You may also want to visit a dermatologist if you have concerns about conditions of your skin, for instance, and you should visit a dentist on a regular basis. 

What Else Can You Do To Stay Healthy?

As we all know, being healthy isn’t just about going to the doctor — although making time to visit your doctor on a regular basis is key.

There are plenty of preventative steps we can take to keep our body in top condition. We’ve already mentioned the benefits of exercising regularly, eating properly, and quitting smoking. We’ve heard these all our lives!

What else can you do to stay healthy?

Listen to the Doctor

If your doctor’s visit resulted in some recommendations, follow them! Take any prescribed medications, adopt lifestyle adjustments that your doctor suggests — such as diet changes, exercise plans, or quitting smoking — and then book a follow-up appointment to gauge your progress and monitor your health.²

Your doctor may also suggest a schedule of vaccinations such as an annual flu shot.

Manage Stress

You can’t avoid the stress of daily life, so you need to figure out how to best manage stress so it doesn’t manage you. That can be different for everyone, but there are some common stress management techniques that can help:¹

• meditation
• yoga
• reading
• keeping a journal
• playing sports
• spending time on a hobby
• visiting with friends or family

You’ll know what helps you relax, so make time to do it a priority.

Get Proper Rest

Stress, daily life and health concerns are all amplified when you don’t get proper rest. You need to make sleep a priority. 

Proper sleep is important at every stage of life, and can help protect your long-term health. Women who routinely don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have conditions like memory problems, weight control issues, and an increased risk of developing heart disease.⁴

Many of the same activities that help with stress can also help you sleep better. You should cultivate what are called quality “sleep habits.” Here are a few tips:⁴

• Don’t drink caffeine after lunch.
• Avoid screen time within 30 minutes of going to bed.
• Put your phone on silent or sleep mode, turn off all alerts, and keep your phone out of your bedroom.
• Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and restful.

Add Kegels to Your Regular Routine

These pelvic floor muscles exercises are a valuable addition to your regular routine no matter your age. They’re an important component of pelvic health, keeping the pelvic floor “fit” in the same way bicep curls strengthen your arm muscles. 

A strong pelvic floor supports the organs in your pelvis, such as your bladder, bowel, uterus and vagina, and assists with key bodily functions like peeing, pooping and sex, as well as pregnancy and giving birth. Research shows that pelvic floor exercises can give you better control over your bladder and bowels, and prevent your pelvic muscles from getting weak.

You can use a tool to ensure you’re performing these exercises properly, such as the Gynesis pelvic floor trainer shorts. These pelvic floor trainers use exclusive Multipath Technology to deliver targeted muscle stimulation that helps retrain and rebuild your pelvic floor. They are designed for everyday use, allowing you to perform 180 precise Kegels in each 30-minute session.

When Should I See the Doctor?

Seeing the doctor for annual checks is important, but there are times when you should see a doctor as soon as possible. 

Here are some symptoms that should send you to a doctor immediately — don’t wait for your annual check-up:⁵

• Abnormal or painful periods, such as heavier-than-usual bleeding, heavy cramping with and before the cycle, bleeding that lasts longer than a week, or bleeding that comes unexpectedly, on other days or weeks.
• Irregular vaginal bleeding, like unexplained bleeding between periods, bleeding while pregnant, or bleeding after menopause.
• Pelvic pain.
• Menopause symptoms.
• A lump in your breast.
• Urinary issues, like pain when you pee, leaking urine, or recurrent urinary tract infections.

Find a Doctor Near you 

If you don’t have a doctor to visit on a regular basis, use our Physician Finder to find a doctor near you with expertise in women’s health. Book an annual wellness exam, and if you have an existing issue, see the doctor immediately. You can ask about annual exams and tests you should be receiving, as well as receive guidance on preventative steps like performing pelvic floor muscle exercises.