Once women age into their 60s, it is common for them to continue to undergo most of the health screenings that were previously mentioned. However, women may experience these screenings at a more frequent pace.

There are also a few health tests that are recommended specifically for women who are above age 65. Keep reading to learn more about commonly prescribed health exams for older women.

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These Yearly Health Screenings Are Common For Women 65+
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Women who are 65 years of age or older typically have different health considerations than women in, say, their thirties. It is natural for certain parts of the body to need a bit more TLC as people get older. Therefore, to help stay on top of their health, many women are recommended to have certain tests performed regularly to look out for potential issues.

Here are common health exam recommendations for women age 65 and older.

Eye Exam/Eye Test/Vision Testing: For people above age 65, doctors recommend annual comprehensive vision screenings. These checkups should include a glaucoma test.

Bone Density Test/Scan: Bones tend to lose density as humans get older, which can lead to osteoporosis, a medical condition characterized by weak bones that are more likely to fracture. According to health experts, women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis because of the hormonal changes that occur after menopause, which directly affect bone density. An annual bone density scan can help your doctor determine whether you are at high risk of developing this condition.

Why Aren’t Pap Smears On These Lists?

You might be wondering why pap smears, which are also known as the papanicolaou test, were not mentioned on any of the previous lists of recommended annual health screenings. 

Until recently, most women’s health experts recommended annual pap smears in order to screen for cervical cancer. Today, research shows that women between age 21 to 65 only need to have pap smears every three years. This new vein of thought regarding pap smears is due to a few different reasons, including the below:

  • There is now more than one test to screen for cervical cancer.
  • It usually takes a long time (15 to 20 years in women with normal immune systems) for precancerous lesions to develop into cervical cancer.
  • Our bodies often resolve abnormal cellular changes found in pap smears. Screening for pap smears every few years, instead of annually, cuts down on procedures that may be unnecessary in the long run, such as biopsies.

Make sure to contact your doctor for additional information about specific health screenings, the timing for when you should have them, and how regularly they need to occur.

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