Preventive Care for Women of All Ages

Late Teens & Twenties

Most women make their first gynecologic appointment in their late teens or early 20s. “We encourage patients to be vaccinated against HPV, which can cause cervical, anal and vaginal cancer, as well as genital warts,” Dr. Mueller said. “Pap smears start when women are 21, and we discuss safe sex, contraception and intimate partner violence.”

• Schedule first gynecologic appointment
• HPV vaccination
• Schedule first pap smear at age 21
• Safe sex and partner violence education
• Contraception methods

Thirties

Many women choose to start families in their 30s. “So we talk to patients about contraception, family planning and preconception counseling, if they plan to have children,” Dr. Mueller said. “Additionally, we review family histories to assess if patients are at increased risk for certain cancers and to determine the need for early screenings.”

• Contraception methods
• Family planning counseling
• Schedule early cancer screenings

Forties

Forty is a time of transition toward menopause. “We talk to women about perimenopause symptoms and what to expect,” Dr. Mueller continued. “We also draw blood work for cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid conditions, schedule mammograms and encourage early screenings for patients at risk for disease.”

• Check bloodwork or cholesterol, diabetes
• and thyroid conditions
• Schedule annual mammogram
• Schedule early cancer screenings

Fifties

In their 50s, women are managing menopause, while incidences of colorectal and breast cancer rise. “This is the time when we talk to patients about hormone replacement therapy,” Dr. Mueller said, “and encourage breast cancer screenings and scheduling their first colonoscopy.”

• Schedule annual mammogram
• Schedule colonoscopy
• Plan hormone replacement therapy

Sixties & Beyond

Since bone health is an important topic for women in their 60s, “we talk to women about weight bearing exercises, calcium intake, vitamin D supplements and scheduling a bone density scan,” Dr. Mueller said. “We also discuss treatment options for urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and postmenopausal bleeding, conditions more common in women at this age.”

• Add weight bearing exercises for bone health
• Increase calcium intake
• Take vitamin D supplements
• Schedule bone density scan
• Treat urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and postmenopausal bleeding, if they occur