The start of a new year is the perfect time for life admin, but before you take a deep dive into your finances or decluttering the house, make time for these important women’s health checks.

When it comes to taking an inventory of our health, there are certain checks that can only be done by a health professional. But there are also some simple health checks we can do ourselves because let’s face it – nobody knows us as well as we know ourselves!

This handy Ultimate Women’s Health Checklist details all of the regular checks and tests you should be having and doing, and we’ve even included a handy, downloadable checklist at the bottom of this article. No excuses!

Women’s Health Checklist

1. Skin check

This is something we should be doing regularly, not just at the start of the year. But it’s a great time to take stock of the moles and marks on your skin for reference and to monitor if they change. If there are any changes or new blemishes, freckles or moles you’re concerned about, make sure you see your doctor.

2. Weight

Ok, let’s be honest, none of us want to step on the scale this time of year! But as we get older, keeping a check on our weight is a great insight into our overall health. So if you have any sudden changes or strange fluctuations, have a chat to your doctor.

3. Mental Check

Set aside some time to take a deep dive into your mental state. It may be worth going through an anxiety and depression checklist and if you’re feeling as though you need extra help, reach out to your doctor, or via a support service.

4. Dental Check

If you haven’t already, schedule your six monthly dental check-ups, and check your toothbrush. The Australian Dental Association recommends switching to a new toothbrush every three months.

5. Cervical Screening Test

This used to be called a Pap Smear, but since 2017 it’s been replaced by the Cervical Screening Test, which checks for human papillomavirus (HPV). You need to book your first Cervical Screening Test two years after your last Pap test. Then it’s recommended you have the test every five years, even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine.

6. Sexual Health Check

Every year you should book a sexual health check, to test for any sexually transmittable infections. Depending on your sexual history over the past 12 months, your doctor can recommend which tests you need.

7. Breast Health Check

Always remember that if you notice any changes in your breasts at any time, or are concerned about them in any way, you need to see your doctor. If you’re over 50 and under 74 years old, and you don’t have any family or prior history of breast cancer, you should have a mammogram every two years.

If you do have some personal or family history, have a chat to your doctor, they may recommend more regular screening.

8. Blood Work Check

How long has it been since you had your cholesterol and triglycerides checked? It’s really important to ask your doctor to check these levels because if they’re elevated it could mean an increased risk of heart disease. If you’re 45 or older, you should get these checked every five years. But your doctor might recommend more regular checks if you’re at high risk.

If you’ve been feeling rundown, it’s also worth asking for your iron and B12 levels to be checked.

9. Blood Pressure Check

Did you know you should be getting your blood pressure checked every other year after you turn 18? Lots of women don’t! Add it to your health checklist this year, and then keep getting it checked every two years, or more often if your doctor recommends it.

10. Eye Check

Everyone should be having their eyes checked regularly – at least every two years. But as we get older, our eyesight is one of the first things to start going downhill. Sorry!

Before you turn 40, you should have a glaucoma eye check, but if there’s a history of it in your family, you should have this eye check up to 10 years earlier. If your glaucoma check is all good, keep booking in eye checks regularly. Every two years if you’re between 50 and 65, and then once a year when you’re over 65.

11. Bowel Check

It’s recommended that women take a Faecal Occult Blood Test once every two years after turning 50. This test is super simple, and it’s not actually a blood test, it tests for blood in your poo. Once you turn 50 you’ll be sent a free kit in the mail every two years, and you send it in to be checked. The test is used to screen for bowel cancer, which is very common but really treatable if found early.

While we’re on the subject of your bowel, if you do happen to have a family history of bowel cancer or you’re at high risk, you should also talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy every two to five years. The procedure checks for any abnormalities in your rectum and large bowel.

12. Bone Check

As we get older we can be at risk of Osteoporosis, which is a disease that causes brittle bones. Most of us don’t really need to worry about a bone density test until we’re older, but have a chat to your doctor in case you have any of the risk factors of Osteoporosis (family history, thin build, early menopause).

13. Hearing Test

Another joy of getting older is potential hearing loss, especially when you hit 40. So you should be getting a hearing test every 10 years until you hit 50, and then every three years.

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Kick-start Your Healthy Journey

At different stages throughout our health journey we may need support to make sure we’re facing every day with our best foot forward. Whole Earth & Sea Women’s Multi is a wholefood multi that contains a full range of nutrients to support the needs of women. The specific nutrients help to support cognition and bone health as well as hair, skin and nails, aids sugar metabolism, and maintains immune system health.

Whole Earth & Sea Women’s Multi contains vitamin and mineral complexes important for women, including calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio, vitamin D3 and K2, iron and active forms of folate, B12, and other B vitamins. Antioxidants and other phytonutrients are also included for health and wellbeing, making this formula ideal for women looking for a raw-food based multi, packed full of organic ingredients.

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This article first appeared on Mouths Of Mums.

How do you keep up with your health checks? Leave us a comment below!