7 Important Health Tests for Women, Let’s Take a Look

Doing medical tests as early as possible for women can prevent various diseases and help make treatment easier. So, what are the health tests that women need? Read more in the review below.

Medical Examination Required by Women

Undergoing screening tests as early as possible can prevent certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Health checks can help detect disease even if you don’t show symptoms.

The following are the various types of medical tests needed by women, including:

1. Breast Examination

The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of recovery. Small breast cancers tend not to spread to nearby lymph nodes and vital organs such as the lungs or brain.

If you are in your 20-30s, your doctor will need to do a breast exam as part of regular check-ups every 1-3 years.

You may need more frequent screening if you have risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer, or a past history of tumors in the breast.

• Screening with Mammography

Mammography is a low-dose X-ray that can often help find a tumor or lump even if you can’t feel it yet.

When you are 40 years old, you should have a mammography every few years. Meanwhile, at the age of 50-75 years, examinations need to be done every year. Your doctor will recommend more frequent screenings if you are at risk

2. Examination of the Cervix

By doing PAP smear regular, cervical cancer is easily prevented. The cervix is ​​the cervix that is between the uterus and the vagina. The Pap smear will find abnormal cells in the cervix, where the cells change shape even though they have not become cancerous.

The main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

• Screening for Cervical Cancer

While undergoing PAP smear, the doctor will take a number of cells in the cervix and send them to the laboratory for analysis. The procedure is carried out when the woman is 21 years old and has had sexual intercourse, and is carried out every 3 years thereafter.

If you are 30 years old or older, you can have an HPV test every at least 5 years. If you are sexually active, you need a vaginal test for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year.

3. Bone Examination

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. Usually women will start to lose bone mass after menopause.

The first symptom is often excessive pain after a fall or twist, and this can be due to a fracture (broken bone) resulting from the loss of bone mass.

A special type of X-ray called dual energy Absorption x-ray (DXA) can measure bone strength and find osteoporosis before fractures occur.

This screening can also help predict the risk of fractures later in life. Osteoporosis screening is a medical test that is needed and recommended for all women over 65 years of age and older.

4. Examination of sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases are often asymptomatic, which means they can be passed on to sex partners or, if pregnant, to their unborn baby. These tests should be started as soon as you become sexually active, or earlier if possible.

5. HIV test

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can be spread through body fluids or blood from an infected person, such as sharing needles or unsafe sex.

Pregnant women with HIV can pass the infection to their babies. Although there is still no treatment or vaccine for HIV, early treatment with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can help the immune system fight this virus.

HIV symptoms may not appear for years. The only way to find out if you are infected with this virus is to have a blood test. An ELISA or EIA test may be done to look for antibodies to HIV.

If you get a positive result, you may need a second test to confirm the result. However, you can still get a negative result even though you are actually infected with HIV, so it is important to repeat this HIV test. Everyone should get an HIV test between the ages of 13–64 years.

Also Read: 11 Types of Health Tests Before Marriage You Should Know

6. Skin Examination

There are several types of skin cancer, and early treatment can be effective for all of them. The most dangerous type is melanoma, a cancer that will affect the color-producing cells on the skin (such as moles).

Some people have an inherited risk for certain types of cancer, some also have an increased risk due to excessive sun exposure.

Basal cell cancer of the skin and squamous cell cancer of the skin are the most common non-melanoma skin cancers.

Detecting skin cancer can be done independently. You can start by checking for changes in the skin, including new moles, enlargement of moles, or spots on the skin.

Also pay attention to the size, color, shape, and border of the pattern. You also need to discuss with a dermatologist to check your skin condition.

7. Check Blood Pressure

As we get older, blood pressure can increase, especially in women who have problems with being overweight or have bad health habits.

High blood pressure can be as life-threatening as a heart attack or stroke without any warning. Therefore, discuss with your doctor to control blood pressure.

Lowering your blood pressure can prevent long-term hazards such as heart disease or kidney failure.

• High Blood Pressure Screening

A blood pressure reading includes 2 components: the first is the systolic blood pressure when the heart beats, and the second is the diastolic which is the pressure between 2 heartbeats.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. While high blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or more. It’s best to ask your doctor how often you need to check your blood pressure.

Now,, those are the various medical tests women need to detect disease as early as possible. Hopefully this information is useful, Healthy Friends!

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