Preventive care is important at every stage of life. It helps find potential concerns early, when treatment is more effective. It also sets you up for a healthier future. For young women, preventive care during this stage includes regular check-ups, reproductive and sexual health screenings, behavioral health support, and everyday choices that help build a strong foundation for the future.
Young Adulthood
Your late teens and early 20s are a time of transition, independence, and building habits that can support your health for years to come. The choices you make every day can have a lasting impact on your health.
Building Healthy Habits for the Future
Eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can help lower your risk for chronic conditions over time while supporting your energy, focus, and overall well-being right now.
Move your body regularly
Physical activity supports strength, heart health, and bone health over time
Choose nourishing foods
A balanced diet can support energy, hormone health, and long-term wellness
Prioritize sleep
Getting enough rest helps your body recover and supports mood, focus, and long-term health
Avoid harmful habits
Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco can reduce your risk for serious health problems
Manage stress levels
Practices like mindfulness, journaling, or taking breaks can support both mental and physical health
Stay connected
Staying connected to people you trust can benefit both emotional and overall health
These are the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. Learn how to incorporate Lifestyle Medicine into your daily habits.
Preventive Care
Regular check-ups
Regular check-ups are an important part of staying well, even if you feel healthy. These visits help you keep track of your physical health, mental well-being, and lifestyle habits, while also making it easier to catch potential concerns early and staying current on recommended screenings. They also give you a confidential space to ask questions, talk through concerns, and take a more active role in your care.
Well-woman visits
Routine well-woman visits, which your primary care provider (PCP) or gynecologist (GYN) can complete, help you stay on top of essential screenings. These include:
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Chlamydia and other STI screenings are recommended for sexually active women, especially those ages 24 and younger. Women ages 25 and older should continue to get screened if they have higher risk based on factors such as a new partner, multiple partners, or a history of prior infection. Screening should happen as part of routine preventive care, and your provider can help determine how often it makes sense for you. These infections often do not cause symptoms, so testing is important because early detection and treatment can help prevent complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and infertility.
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Cervical cancer screening is recommended for women beginning at age 21, even if they feel healthy and have no symptoms. For most women ages 21 to 29, screening is done every three years with a Pap test. Starting at age 30, screening may continue every three years with a Pap test, every five years with primary HPV testing, or every five years with co-testing, depending on your provider’s guidance and your health history. These screenings help find abnormal cell changes early—before they become cancer or when they are easier to treat.
Transitioning to Adult Care
As you move from your late teens into your 20s, transitioning from pediatric to adult health care is an important step toward managing your own well-being. If you are still seeing a pediatrician, this may be a good time to switch to a provider who specializes in caring for adults and women. There is no single right age to make this change, but many women begin the transition around age 18.
Routine check-ups with your PCP or GYN give you the opportunity to:
- Ask questions and talk openly about your health
- Stay up to date on screenings and vaccines
- Identify potential concerns early, when they’re easier to treat
Regular visits help you build a relationship with your provider and create a personalized care plan that supports your needs over time.
Finding the Right Provider
If you need to find a new provider, you can use the MVP Find a Doctor online search tool. For personalized results, sign in to Gia.
Behavioral Health Matters
Young adulthood often brings new responsibilities, stress, and change. Taking care of your behavioral health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, and building support early can make a meaningful difference over time.
- Pay attention to how you feel — Ongoing stress, anxiety, or low mood can affect sleep, concentration, and daily life
- Know that support is common and normal — Many young adults face behavioral health challenges, and reaching out for help can make a real difference
- Stay connected — Supportive relationships can help protect your mental and emotional well-being
- Create routines that help you reset — Small habits like taking breaks, managing stress, and making time to recharge can support everyday well-being
- Reach out when you need extra help — Talking with a provider or behavioral health professional is a positive step in taking care of yourself
Explore MVP behavioral health resources to find care, connect with providers, and access tools that support your mental and emotional well-being.
Take the Next Step
Taking charge of your health now sets the foundation for your future. Explore the tools and resources available to you through MVP to stay on track with preventive care and wellness.