10 Important Medical Tests For Every Woman And When To Take Them
According to the WHO, women have a longer life expectancy than men throughout the world. In some parts of the world, women have an average life expectancy of 81.1 years, but men have 76.1 years.
One reason for the disparity is that women are more concerned about their health than males. They are more likely to visit a doctor and are more open about troubling symptoms. Personal health care and lifestyle decisions may also play a role.
Women, on the whole, tend to look after themselves better. Even if their symptoms are vague, they schedule a doctor’s appointment. Men are also more likely than women to consume excessive amounts of alcohol and to smoke.

Women must think about their reproductive systems and fertility difficulties. Hormone levels fluctuate as women age, raising the risk of health problems. Besides health issues particular to women, chronic diseases that affect both sexes, such as migraine headaches and thyroid disorders, have a greater impact on women.
Taking control of your health can be as simple as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, and controlling stress. Those steps, however, are insufficient. Keeping up with routine health exams is also important. Diseases and serious medical issues are usually most treatable when caught early.
Wellness Healthcare has put together a list of medical tests that every woman should undergo. Continue reading to learn which health screenings women should get, why they should have them, and how often they should have them.
Pap smear

When to get tested: Between the ages of 21 and 65, every three years.
A pap smear, often known as a pap test, is a cervical cancer screening for women. Doctors recommend repeating this test every three years for women aged 21 to 65. Except in rare circumstances where the prescription changes to more or less. Cervical cancer was a top cause of cancer mortality among women before the test was launched. It is no longer among the top ten cancer deaths among women.
Cervical cancer is mostly detected in women between the ages of 35 and 44. This is one of the most important medical tests for every woman, especially in Nigeria.
Mammogram

When to get tested: After 50, every two years.
This is another important medical test for every woman, especially in Nigeria. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray image of the breasts used to identify and test breast cancer. It is the most frequent malignancy in women in the World. Women between the ages of 50 and 74 should undergo a mammogram every two years, according to the US Preventive Services Task Force. But recommendations may vary depending on the woman and her risk factors. If you’re a woman between the ages of 40 and 49, talk to your doctor about starting a screening program.
STDs and STIs

When should you be tested? Yearly
STD rates are greater among women than men once a year and are at record high levels. STDs are more transmitted from a man to a woman than from a woman to a man. Hence, women are biologically more likely to contract them. Getting tested frequently is one of the most important medical tests for every woman, especially in Nigeria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diagnosed each year. Half of those diagnosed among young people aged 15 to 24. One in every four sexually active adolescent girls has an STD.
STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which typically have no symptoms, can harm the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. These can lead to infertility if left untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are two of the world’s most common preventable causes of infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
Hepatitis C.

When to get tested: During each pregnancy and if you were born between 1945 and 1965, you should get tested.
Hepatitis C is a liver ailment caused by a virus. It is transmitted through tainted blood, which can be shared by sharing needles. If the mother has hepatitis C, the baby may become infected at birth. Hepatitis C affects more than 3 million people in the country, yet most have no symptoms and are unaware that they have it. Every year, over 17,000 new instances are discovered. If the infection is not treated, it can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or death.
Hepatitis C screening, which consists of a simple blood test, is recommended at least once for all adults. Also for persons who have HIV or have undergone specific medical procedures, according to the CDC. We don’t get to hear about this a lot, but it is one of the most important medical tests for every woman, especially in Nigeria.
Bone Density Test

When should you have a bone density test? After menopause or at the age of 65.
A bone density test can help establish if a person has osteoporosis. This is a condition in which the bones become brittle and weak. Increasing the risk of significant bone fractures even after a slight fall. Because osteoporosis progresses and without symptoms, most people are unaware they have it until a fracture occurs. Because women have less bone mass, they get osteoporosis sooner in life and it advances faster.
A bone density test is an X-ray that assesses how much calcium and other minerals are in the bones. This is recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation for postmenopausal women. Those over the age of 65, and those over the age of 50 have risk factors.
Certain drugs, thyroid disorders, frequent drinking, smoking, stomach or bowel ailments, and prolonged bed rest are all risk factors.
Pelvic exam

When should you be tested: once a year.
Before, during, and after menopause, a pelvic exam involves a visual and tactile examination of a woman’s reproductive organs. A pelvic exam is also done to look for any evidence of ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted infections, or uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous uterine growths.
The test is important for women since their risk of ovarian cancer rises as they age. According to a cancer society, ovarian cancer is the sixth highest cause of cancer mortality among women. According to the group, over 22,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020, with roughly 14,000 dying from it.
Self-screening of the breasts

When to get tested: early twenties
In recent years, research has revealed a link between self-examination and breast cancer detection. Self-screening serves a useful purpose. Women must understand how their breasts look and feel so that they can spot changes early on.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast malignancy fatality rates among women are higher than any other cancer except lung cancer.
Lipid Panel Test

When should you get a lipid panel test? If you’re at risk for heart disease, you should start around 45.
Triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) “good” cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) “bad” cholesterol are all measured by a lipid panel. High cholesterol, which has no symptoms, raises the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke, all can be fatal.
Everyone over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol examined every four to six years, according to the American Heart Association. People who are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, such as those who are overweight, diabetic, smoke, or are physically sedentary, may need more frequent testing.
Because LDL cholesterol levels tend to grow after menopause, women between the ages of 55 and 65 should get a lipid test, which is a blood test, at least every two years.
Vitamin D insufficiency

When to get tested for vitamin D insufficiency: Women who are at risk of deficiency
A simple blood test can be used to examine vitamin D levels as part of a standard medical exam. To absorb calcium and maintain strong bones, people need the “sunshine vitamin,”. This is produced by the body when ultraviolet rays from the sun come into contact with the skin. Vitamin D insufficiency has been related to cancer, heart disease, depression, muscle discomfort, diabetes, and infections, among other things.
People with darker skin are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency because darker skin requires more sun exposure to create enough vitamin D than lighter skin. Crohn’s disease and celiac disease patients are also at a higher risk.
By interfering with the way fat is metabolized, they can inhibit the body from receiving vitamin D.
Women who use the wellness plus app can easily book an appointment to get these tests done. All you need is a few clicks and you are set to go.
Lastly, you don’t need an HMO plan, all you need is the wellness plus app.