Your 30s and 40s are busy decades — building careers, managing families, and juggling endless responsibilities. Health screenings probably aren't at the top of your to-do list.
At Solace Women’s Care in Conroe, Texas, Farly Sejour, MD, FACOG, Natalie Gould, WHNP-BC, and our team help women stay ahead of health problems through preventive screenings that catch issues early, when they’re most treatable.
These five screenings form the foundation of your preventive health plan during these critical decades.
Pap smears and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing work together to detect cervical changes before they become cancer. Most women in their 30s need co-testing (both Pap and HPV) every five years, while women in their 40s often continue the same schedule unless previous results suggest otherwise.
We adjust your cervical cancer screening timeline based on your history. Women with prior abnormal results or weakened immune systems need more frequent monitoring, while those with consistent normal results might extend the time between tests.
The breast cancer screening conversation has shifted over the years, but current guidelines recommend starting annual mammograms at age 40 for most women. Some women with strong family histories or genetic risk factors should begin even earlier.
Baseline mammograms establish what’s normal for your breasts, making it easier to spot changes in future images. Dense breast tissue, which is common in younger women, may require additional imaging, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Finding breast cancer early — before you can feel a lump — gives you the most treatment options and the best outcomes. That’s why we emphasize maintaining your mammogram schedule, even when life gets hectic.
Many women assume sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing is only for younger people or those with multiple partners; however, these kinds of infections, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), don’t discriminate by age or relationship status.
Women in long-term relationships, those re-entering the dating scene after divorce, or anyone with new partners, should consider regular screening.
We recommend annual screening for sexually active women under 25 and for older women with risk factors like new or multiple partners. The testing is straightforward — usually just a urine sample or swab during your regular exam — and gives you peace of mind about your sexual health.
Your 30s and 40s are when metabolic health often shifts. Weight becomes hard to manage, and conditions like prediabetes or high cholesterol begin appearing, especially if you have risk factors like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), family history, or gestational diabetes.
Blood sugar testing identifies diabetes and prediabetes before serious complications develop. Catching elevated blood sugar early gives you time to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay full diabetes.
Cholesterol screening checks your risk for heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death for women. High cholesterol has no symptoms, so blood tests are the only way to know your levels. We typically recommend cholesterol checks every 4-5 years for women with typical results, more often if you have risk factors.
Most women don’t need bone density screening until after menopause, but certain risk factors warrant earlier testing, including:
Bone density testing is quick, painless, and identifies osteoporosis risk before fractures occur. Early detection allows time for preventive measures, such as calcium supplementation, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and some medications.
At Solace Women’s Care, we believe staying healthy beats fixing problems later. These five screenings catch severe conditions when they’re most manageable and give you the best chance for successful treatment.
Our team tracks your screening schedule, reminds you when tests are due, and explains results in plain language. We coordinate care with specialists when needed and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Take charge of your health with screenings that protect your future. Call our Conroe office at 936-441-7100 or message us online to schedule your preventive care appointment with our team today.
