Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam
Dentist
Find someone great through a recommendation from a friend and go twice a year, just like you do with your kids, just like you did when you were a kid. Get whatever treatments your insurance covers, and get on top of good gum health. Also, floss daily. No, really.
Optometrist
We spend a lot of time on screens, large and small, and our eyesight pays the price for all of it. Annual visits to the optometrist are a fundamental part of taking care of our overall health. Not only will you figure out why you're getting frequent headaches, but you'll also be able to get a baseline screening of your retina's health, a chance at early glaucoma detection and also probably get more information than you ever wanted on the harms of screens and the necessity of blocking the damaging light they emit.
Dermatologist
No matter what your skin tone, you should be inspecting your skin at home regularly and flagging any questionable moles, skin tags or spots with your dermatologist (they won't laugh if it's nothing). You also want to check in with a dermatologist if you notice sudden hair loss. It could be a sign of bigger health issues.
Podiatrist
Years of high heels on our young feet leave the older version of them less than perfect. Pregnancies, mid-life weight gain and other factors also contribute to the reshaping of our feet. Regular visits to the podiatrist can flag potential problems. They can offer therapies (and recommend changes!) that slow or prevent them from becoming debilitating. They'll also let you know that the bruise underneath your toenail? It's actually a fungus. (They'll also tell you how to treat it.)
Physical
No matter your age, women should get a regular health checkup and physical from their doctors. Initial appointments establish baselines for health—blood pressure, height and weight, previous medical issues, current concerns—and can be the first step in treatment or highlight symptoms that may have otherwise gone unnoticed in future physical checkups. Once you're in your twenties, you should get a physical every year.
Blood Screening
Your blood says a lot about your health and can show signs of health issues. Regular blood screenings can monitor for cardiovascular risk factors, blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function, immune system wellness and hormone balance. Bloodwork also lets your doctor know your iron levels, whether you've got an electrolyte imbalance and red blood cell count.
