Routine Checks (Women)

Overview of health checks for women at your IPSA clinic

As a woman, a general health check-up is recommended each year, especially if you are too busy to visit your regular GP or when you feel that you are well in yourself and do not require any medical reviews.

At IPSA, your routine check-up consultation generally involves your IPSA doctor talking to you about your previous medical history, your lifestyle choices (diet, exercise habits, alcohol consumption, smoking habit) and your family’s disease history.

Seeing your IPSA physician for an annual medical check-up will help you to stay healthy, as at IPSA, our aim is to pick up on any early warning signs of disease/illness.

Many diseases (for example, some forms of cancer, cardiovascular (heart) disease, or diabetes) can be picked up early and treatment is then generally more effective.

If you are at high risk for a particular disease (such as when there is a family history of a disease), your IPSA clinician will recommend that you have more frequent check-ups and/or that you have these checks carried out at a younger age.

All IPSA medical consultations are adapted to each individual and to their presenting symptoms. This means that your IPSA doctor will decide which areas should be focused on during your consultation, and this is assessed based on any presenting symptoms, your risk factors, lifestyle, and any relevant family history.

What types of tests will I be given during my IPSA woman’s health check-up?

Some of the typical health checks for women that might be carried out/recommended by your IPSA clinician during your consultation are listed below. This list is not exhaustive, and your IPSA doctor might recommend some additional investigations that are not on the list; this depends on your presenting clinical symptoms as well as on any risk factors in your current lifestyle.

These are some of the examinations that may be performed, requested, or recommended during your IPSA routine women’s health screen:

Cervical smear test: This cervical screening test is important as it picks up signs of any irregularities that might lead to cervical cancer if they remain untreated. Women should have smear tests every two years until they reach 70. Even if you have received the vaccination, you should still have smear tests regularly.

STI screening: If you are less than 30 years of age and are sexually active, then IPSA recommends having a urine test for chlamydia every year, as chlamydia affects fertility and quite often produces no symptoms.

Pregnancy: IPSA recommends having a general health check-up prior to planning your pregnancy; you can discuss any health risks that might occur during pregnancy with your IPSA practitioner. Once you have become pregnant, then regular antenatal check-ups help to monitor baby’s development, pick up any abnormalities and are used to assess your health. These tests are ultrasound scans, blood tests, and urine tests, among others.

Heart health checks: The women’s health checks at IPSA for heart disease can include:

• Blood pressure: Your blood pressure should be checked at least every 2 years from 18 years old onwards. If your blood pressure does happen to be on the high side, or if your family has a high blood-pressure history, or a history of strokes/heart attacks, then your IPSA physician will recommend having it checked more often.
• Blood tests: Your IPSA physician will check your cholesterol levels and levels of triglycerides. High levels might indicate that you have an increased risk of heart disease.
• Weight check: Being overweight poses significant risks for many other health conditions; for example, diabetes and also cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes health checks: The IPSA tests for diabetes include both your fasting blood-sugar level and/or a three-month average blood-sugar check.

You have a higher risk in terms of developing type 2 diabetes if:

• You are over 45 and are obese (with a BMI over 30)
• You have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
• You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• You have a family history of diabetes
• You are an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander over 35
• You belong to particular ethnic groups (including Pacific Islanders and Sri Lankans)

Breast cancer health checks: Women (no matter what age they are) should visit their IPSA doctor within a week if they do notice breast changes of any kind. Women from 50 to 74 with no personal or family breast cancer history should have their screening mammogram (a breast X-ray) carried out every 2 years. If you do have a personal/family breast cancer history, your IPSA doctor can discuss with you how often you should undergo screening.

Eye health checks: Eyesight usually deteriorates with age. IPSA recommends that every woman above 40 should have an eye examination.

Bowel cancer health checks: Bowel cancer is a fairly common form of cancer and if it is detected early enough, the recovery rate is good. The faecal occult blood test (FOBT) checks for blood in your stool (poo) sample. If you are over 50, IPSA recommends this test be carried out every 2 years.

Bone density health checks: Osteoporosis is a disease causing thinning of your bones. At IPSA, your bone density test (DEXA) will help your IPSA physician to determine your bone health.

Bone density testing is most often recommended for those women who have:

• Osteoporosis/concerns about osteoporosis (such as a family history)
• Osteoporosis risk factors: a thin build, an early menopause, long periods with no menstruation when younger, over 70 years old and/or long-term cortisone medication use
• A spinal deformity (with a stooped posture)
• A previous fracture that was not caused by a major trauma or fall

Immunisation: Young women should consider having the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine prior to becoming sexually active in order to prevent cervical cancer. Prior to your health check-up, check that all of your childhood immunisations are up to date and check if you need any boosters, such as tetanus.

IPSA recommends that you get the flu vaccination if:

• You are over 65
• You are pregnant (especially in your last trimester), as your baby will also gain protection
• You have any chronic conditions (e.g. severe asthma, diabetes)
• You are concerned that you might get the flu and that it would impact you significantly

At the end of your IPSA health check consultation, your IPSA doctor might help you directly with medication or by referring you for further scans/investigations. If necessary, your IPSA clinician will book a further review appointment (this will depend on the diagnosis). Sometimes, your IPSA clinician might refer you on to a specialist for treatment/diagnosis, and referrals will be arranged on the same day as your IPSA consultation.

To book your women’s health check-up at your IPSA clinic, call your nearest IPSA clinic or book online.