Screening Tests and Immunizations Guidelines for Women (Part 2 of 4)

These charts are guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to meet your health care needs.

Screening tests	Ages 18–39	Ages 40–49	Ages 50–64	Ages 65 and older
Reproductive health: Pap test	Every 1–3 years if you have been sexually active or are older than 21	Every 1–3 years	Every 1–3 years	Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Pelvic exam	Yearly beginning at age 21. Younger than 21 and sexually active, discuss with your doctor or nurse.	Yearly	Yearly	Yearly
Chlamydia test	Yearly until age 25 if sexually active. Older than age 26, get this test if you have new or multiple partners.	Get this test if you have new or multiple partners.	Get this test if you have new or multiple partners.	Get this test if you have new or multiple partners.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests	Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.	Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.	Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.	Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.
Mental health screening	Discuss with your doctor or nurse.	Discuss with your doctor or nurse.	Discuss with your doctor or nurse.	Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Additional Resources:

Publications

Women's Mental Health — This special section of womenshealth.gov provides information on taking care of your mental health throughout the different stages of your life. It also links to information on mental health for men, girls, and people with a chronic illness or disability.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/mh/

Fact Sheet — Chlamydia — This publication provides information on chlamydia infection, including its symptoms, how it is spread, how it is treated, and how to avoid contracting this STI.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/chlamydia.cfm

Chlamydia — This fact sheet describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and current research on chlamydia infection. Complications of chlamydia, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infection in newborns, also are discussed.

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/chlamydia/

Fact Sheet — Pap Test — This publication explains what a pap test is, why all women need routine pap tests, how it is performed, and what the results mean.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pap-test.cfm

Fact Sheet — Sexually Transmitted Infections: Overview — This fact sheet provides an overview of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the number of people affected, risk factors for, symptoms, and how STIs can hurt women and the unborn babies of pregnant women infected with an STI. It also provides information on how to get tested for STIs, treatment, and tips to prevent getting an STI.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/sexually-transmitted-infections.cfm

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 1, 2009.

Preventive Health