Preventive Care for Women Ages 40-49
Recommendations apply to most women of normal risk. Additional tests and immunizations may be recommended based on specific risk factors. Visits are recommended every one–to–three years and should include the following, based on age.
Health History and Lifestyle Assessment
Complete or update assessment, including family history; activity; tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; and sexual practices
Physical Exam
- Height and weight (Body Mass Index)
- Blood pressure
- Vision screening
Tests
- Screen for lipid disorders every five years, age 45 and older
- Screen for lipid disorders if at an increased risk for heart disease, ages 40–44
- Colorectal cancer screening using fecal occult blood testing, multi-targeted stool DNA test (e.g., Cologuard), sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy beginning at age 45 and continuing until age 75. Talk with your doctor regarding the frequency of screening needed
- Cervical cancer screening by Pap test at least every three years (women ages 30–65 may instead choose to have a Pap test with HPV test every five years)
- Chlamydia screening if at risk
- Breast cancer screening by mammogram: discuss frequency with your doctor
- Rubella antibody screening once
- Screen for Type 2 diabetes if blood pressure > 135/80
- Screen for abnormal blood glucose and Type 2 diabetes, age 40–70 years who are overweight or obese
Immunizations
- One-time dose Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis; Tetanus/Diphtheria booster every 10 years
- Flu vaccine annually
- MMR vaccine for adults born after 1957 without evidence of prior MMR vaccine
- Varicella vaccine for those without evidence of prior infection
Counseling/Screening
- Diet: discuss calcium and vitamin D with your doctor
- Exercise promotion
- Menopause management
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol/substance abuse prevention
- Sexually transmitted diseases/HIV/sexual behavior
- Dental health
- Sun exposure
- Injury prevention (including seat belt, helmet use)
- Life stage issues: bereavement
- Depression
- Health Care Proxy/Advance Directives
- Screen for HIV infection, ages 15–65
- One time screening for HCV infection to adults born 1945–1965
- Family violence
High-Risk Individuals
- Screen for syphilis infection
- Screen for latent tuberculosis infection for asymptomatic adults
- For additional vaccine recommendations, visit cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/adult.html
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