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Essential Screenings for Men and Women

  • Dec 16, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jan 8


Your sexual and reproductive health can affect everything from your energy levels to your long-term well-being. That’s why it’s important to understand the latest recommendations for maintaining good breast, cervical, ovarian and prostate health, as well as guidance on erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted infections and HPV.

 

Below, we review the guidelines for each and answer some frequently asked questions about seeking care.

 

Breast Health

The American Cancer Society recommends this:

  • Ages 40–44: You can choose to start yearly mammograms.

  • Ages 45–54: Get a mammogram every year.

  • Ages 55+: Continue yearly screenings or switch to every two years.

 

Your provider may recommend something different if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.

 

Should you ask your doctor for a breast exam or conduct regular self-exams? Rather than recommending routine breast exams or monthly self-exams, the ACS encourages breast self-awareness. This means knowing what’s normal for you and letting your provider know about any changes.


Cervical Health

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend:

  • Age 21: Start Pap tests (also called Pap smears). If normal, repeat it every 3 years.

  • Ages 30–65: Your provider will recommend one of three options:

    • Pap test every 3 years, or

    • HPV test every 5 years, or

    • Pap + HPV co-test every 5 years

  • After age 65: Stop screening if you’ve had consistently normal results

 

If your Pap result is abnormal, your provider may repeat the test or recommend other procedures to check for and remove abnormal cells.

 

What’s the difference between a pelvic exam and a Pap test? During a pelvic exam, your provider checks the health of your uterus, ovaries and other pelvic organs. A Pap test is different. It collects cells from your cervix to look for early signs of cancer. You can have a pelvic exam without a Pap test, but a Pap test almost always involves a pelvic exam. Talk to your provider about whether you should have an annual pelvic exam.

 

Ovarian Health

Unlike breast or cervical cancer, there is currently no approved screening test for ovarian cancer for women who are at average risk. Instead, health experts recommend knowing your body and reporting any unusual or persistent symptoms — such as bloating, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, or changes in digestion or urination — to your provider right away.

 

If you have a strong family history or inherited risk factors, your provider may suggest more frequent monitoring.

 

Prostate Health

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines say that prostate care can include:

  • A prostate or rectal exam during a routine visit, if your provider recommends it

  • A PSA blood test for men ages 55–69, after talking with your provider about risks and benefits

 

Some men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, including Black men and those with a close family member who has had the disease. Your provider can help you decide if screening is right for you or if it should start earlier.

 

Erectile Dysfunction

ED is more common than people realize and is nothing to be embarrassed about. It can be linked to conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. If you experience ED, talk to your PCP so they can check for underlying causes and help you find treatment that works.

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections are common, and many don’t cause symptoms right away. STI testing is simple and private, and treatment works best when started early.

 

The MNPS Health Care Centers can:

  • Provide urine, blood and swab tests for all major STIs

  • Check for bladder, vaginal or genital infections that sometimes mimic STI symptoms

  • Guide you on next steps if a test is positive

 

Everything you share with us is confidential.

 

HPV Vaccination

The human papillomavirus vaccine protects against cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile and throat cancers, as well as genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend routine vaccination for boys and girls at ages 11–12, with catch-up vaccination through age 26.

 

Adults ages 27–45 can also choose to get the HPV vaccine after talking to their provider. Many people in this age group can still benefit, especially if they weren’t vaccinated earlier.

 

MNPS Health Care Centers can provide HPV shots for eligible patients and help you decide whether vaccination up to age 45 is right for you.

 

Additional Support

MNPS Health Care Center providers can help with many other sexual and reproductive health concerns, including:

  • Pregnancy tests

  • Prenatal vitamin recommendations

  • Obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) referrals

  • Mammogram referrals

  • Behavioral health referrals for women’s and men’s health issues

  • Urinary tract and vaginal infections assessment and treatment

  • Well exams (an annual exam is recommended)

  • Body image/weight concerns

  • Menstruation

  • Birth control

  • Preconception counseling

  • Perimenopause and menopause

 

If you’d like to make an appointment to discuss a sexual, reproductive or other health concern, call 615-259-8755 or schedule online. We can also serve as your primary care provider if you need one.

 

 

 

* 12/3/2024 updates are pending but shouldn’t significantly change recommendations

 
 
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