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Do Well-Checks Vary For Men And Women?

Yes, well-checks differ between men and women. There are some tests specifically for men and some for women. Yet there are many tests needed for both men and women, like blood pressure, weight, diabetes screening, and colon cancer screening, that your family doctor will discuss with you.

Depending on factors such as gender and age, family physicians can tailor exams and screenings to more accurately treat each patient. When you are forthcoming about your own medical history, as well as your family history, help arm your family doctor with the information needed to provide the highest quality and most thorough care possible.

Here are recommendations for men:

• Prostate health:
  • Talk with your family doctor to find out more about your prostate health and to determine what, if any, testing is best for you.
• Blood pressure screening:
  • Have your blood pressure checked every two years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg or higher. Then have it checked more frequently.
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention:
  • Men over age 34 should be checked every five years.
  • If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, start getting screened earlier, at age 20.
• Dental exam:
  • Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
• Eye exam:
  • If you have vision problems, have an eye exam every two years.
• Colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45
• Immunizations:
  • After age 19, you should have a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine once and then boosters every 10 years.
  • You should get a flu shot each year.
  • A shingles shot is recommended at age 50 or above.
  • A pneumonia vaccine is recommended for age 65 and over, or earlier if you have risk factors.
• Infectious disease screening:
  • Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV, as well as other infections.
• Preventive health visits should be every year and may include:
  • Checking height and weight
  • Screening for alcohol and tobacco use
  • Screening for depression

Here are recommendations for women:

• Eye exam:
  • If you have vision problems, have an eye exam every two years.
• Dental exam:
  • Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
• Blood pressure screening:
  • Have your blood pressure checked every two years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg or higher. Then have it checked more frequently.
• Post-menopausal women should have a bone density test screening test for osteoporosis, also known as a DEXA scan.
• Mammogram beginning at age 40, then get screened every two years.
  Pap test every three years,
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention:
  • Women over age 34 should be checked every five years.
  • If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, start getting screened earlier, at age 20.
• Colorectal cancer screening for women beginning at age 45
• Diabetes screening for women 18 and older. Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure.
• Immunizations:
  • After age 19, you should have a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine once and then boosters every 10 years.
  • You should get a flu shot each year.
  • A shingles shot is recommended at age 50 or above.
  • A pneumonia vaccine is recommended for age 65 and over patients or earlier if the patient has risk factors.
• Infectious disease screening:
  • Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV, as well as other infections.
• Preventive health visits should be every year and may include:
  • Checking height and weight
  • Screening for alcohol tobacco use
  • Screening for depression

At your annual well-check visit, discuss any health concerns that you may have, and your family physician will work with you on a personal care plan.