15 Tests Every Woman Needs
By Sari Harrar
Special Offer
Sexual Health
CHLAMYDIA
What Age: Anyone who is sexually active.
How Often: Every year for women under age 25; repeat annually if you have new sexual partners.
Details: A swab test detects this common STD that can cause fertility problems and pelvic pain.
HIV
What Age: If you have unprotected sex at any age.
How Often: Before having sex with someone new, four to six weeks after unprotected sex, and again six months later.
Details: New rapid tests swab your cheek (no needles), and results are ready in 20 minutes. They’re 97 to 99 percent accurate though you need to get a blood test to verify a positive result.
HPV-DNA
What Age: 30s, 40s, 50+ (20s if you have an abnormal Pap)
How Often: Every year. If HPV and Pap are normal, repeat both every three years.
Details: With a sample collected on a swab, this test looks for 13 strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Get this test even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine.
