Health maintenance in women

Premenopausal women:

1. Preconception counseling.  Take a daily vitamin.  Folic acid 400 to 800 mcg a day–to help with spinal cord development in developing fetus.
2. Contraception counseling, as desired.
3. Screening for sexually transmitted infections, as needed.
4. HIV screening
5. Weight and blood pressure checked– as obesity and hypertension are rampant
6. If family history of heart disease, cholesterol screening.
7. If blood pressure more than 135/80, diabetes screening should be done.

Women aged 55-79

1. Aspirin 75 mg a day when the patient and physician weigh the benefits of this are greater than gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. Discontinue pap at age 65 if results have been normal or after hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons.
3. Breast cancer screening with mammogram may be considered in women 40-49 years of age based on patients’ values, and potential benefits and harms.
4. Mammogram recommended biennially in women aged 50 to 74 years of age.
5. Colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 75 years of age.
6. Osteoporosis screening in women 65 years and older, and in younger women with a similar risk of fracture.  Compute FRAX score.

Overall, vaccine schedule per the www.cdc.gov should be followed regardless of age.