02 Feb Exams & Tests At Midlife
Preventative Health Guidelines for Midlife Women
The following are recommendations for midlife women at average risk for most diseases. When in a high risk group for disease and/or experiencing symptoms, time frames should be defined by your provider.
40–49 Years
General Health
Comprehensive History: Current health status, personal health history, family health history, social history addressing roles within family, work & friends, lifestyle factors of nutrition, movement and sleep.
Comprehensive Physical Examination: Height, weight, blood pressure (BP), ears, nose, throat, thyroid, heart, lungs, breast, abdomen, pelvis and rectum.
Lab Tests: (Based on symptoms, may include…) Urinalysis, complete blood count, fasting blood glucose (sugar), thyroid tests of TSH, T3 and T4.
Risk Behavior Screening
Lifestyle Habits Review: Tobacco use, stress factors, alcohol and drug abuse, weight loss or gain, sexual practices, sun exposure, household hazards and motor vehicle use.
Hormonal Health
24-Hour Urine or Serum Testing: Understanding personal hormone balance through saliva or serum.
- Hormone measurement options: Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), Progesterone, Testosterone (total and free), DHEA and DHEA-S, Cortisol, Insulin, Glucose, Androstenedione, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), T3 and T4.
- 4 Tube Cortisol Saliva Test – for those experiencing severe sleep or fatigue issues.
Heart Health
Blood Pressure Test: Needs to be done at least every two years. Cholesterol, Lipids (HDL & LDL) & Triglycerides: Baseline should be taken at 45 years, then every 5 years after that.
Breast Health
Mammogram: To be done yearly until age 65, then every 1-2 years after that. Clinical Breast Exam: To be done by a provider every 1-2 years. However, a breast self-exam should be done monthly.
Thermography and UltraSound are other adjunctive screening tools.
Pelvic Health
Pap Test & Pelvic Exam: To be done every 1-2 years. Chlamydia Test: Only if at risk. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Tests: Only if at risk.
**Note: Seek medical care if unexpected vaginal bleeding, clots or uncontrolled periods occur. Additional tests may include: pelvic cultures, ultrasound, sonohystogram and endometrial biopsy.
Gastrointestinal Health
Digital Rectal Exam: To be done every 1-2 years.
Skin Health
Mole Exam: To be done by provider every 1-2 years. Self-exam should be done monthly.
Eye and Ear Health
Eye Exam: To be done every 1-2 years. Hearing Test: To be done every 10 years.
Oral Health
Dental Cleaning and Exam: Should have 1-2 per year.
50+ Years
NOTE: Women who fall into this age range should complete ALL tests outlined above. In addition, the following exams should be completed as well.
Heart Health
Baseline EKG Must discuss with your provider.
Bone Health
Baseline Bone Mineral Density Screen: Discuss with health care provider. The gold standard is the DEXA scan.
Gastrointestinal Health
Fecal Occult Blood Test: Discuss with provider. To be done yearly. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: To be done every five years or a colonoscopy baseline at 50, then every 10 years or double contrast barium enema every 5-10 years.