6 Medical Tests You Absolutely MUST DO In Your 20s!

6 Medical Tests You Absolutely MUST DO In Your 20s!

Your 20s is all about the hustle. Armed with a degree, you’re trying had AF to prove yourself and make it in the field of your choice. Working late hours, functioning on just a few hours of sleep, and eating only when time permits, seem like part and parcel of the rookie life. While we feel you, the bad news is that this kind of lifestyle does take its toll, and it might not be worth it. Your health is super important and worth looking after.

So, apart from a healthy diet, exercise and adequate sleep, here are some medical tests every woman needs to do in her 20s. Trust me, it’s not about being paranoid, but rather fixing (or maintaining) your health while you still can. Also, most diseases, if detected early, can be treated and cured completely.

1. Dental Check-Up

Why? From cavities to tooth decay caused by wisdom teeth, a lot of things that can go wrong with your oral health. It’s better to stay on top of it, instead of waiting until it’s too late and landing up in the dentist’s chair doing a root canal. Ouch!

How? Your dentist will examine your mouth in order to check for tooth decay or cavities with a mirror and a woodpecker tool.

When? As a rule of thumb, you should visit your dentist every 6 months, and get a clean-up done at the time. You can also opt for a whitening treatment every couple of years if you feel the need.

2. Sexually Transmitted Infections Test

Why? If you are having sex with a new partner, or engaging in unprotected sex, have irregular bleeding, or experiencing unusual vaginal discharge, then an STI test will help you figure out what exactly is going on.

How? Besides having a conversation about your sexual history with your gynaecologist, you will give a blood and/or urine sample and have swabs taken from your vagina, which will then go for testing.

When? You should get this medical test done at least once every year, or every 3 to 6 months, if you have a new sexual partner.

3. Audiogram

Why? If you often experience a plugged sensation in your ears, have problems hearing people, or have a family history of hearing loss, then getting an audiogram is a must.

How? All you need to do is wear a set of headphones and the ENT specialist will analyse the different tones of frequencies you can or cannot hear.

When? If you don’t have any hearing problems, then you can get this medical test done every 2 to 5 years.

4. Pap Smear

Why? A smear test is to detect inflammation, infections or abnormal cells in the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer.

How? This test will be done by a nurse, who will use a speculum to open up the walls of your vagina in order to take some cells. It is not painful at all, but just a tiny bit uncomfortable!

When? Get your first test done at the age of 25, and after that, once every 3 years till you’re 50.

5. Breast Examination

Why? A breast examination is done to check for any signs of breast cancer.

How? You can do a self-examination of your breasts to see if something looks or feels different/abnormal. The earlier you feel a difference, the better it is to take care of it before it gets worse. If you do notice any lump or discolouration, go to your doctor to figure out if it is cancerous or not.

When? This is not a weekly/monthly/yearly thing. You just need to know what looks and feels normal or even abnormal.

6. Eye Test

Why? Scrolling through Instagram and Facebook all day long doesn’t really help our eyesight. That’s why it’s important for us to take special care when it comes to this. Eye strain and headaches can be a sign that your lifestyle is taking a toll on your vision. This can be easily sorted out with a pair of glasses or contacts.

How? Your optician will blow a few puffs of air into your eyes to test the pressure inside and ask you to read letters from a chart through different pairs of lenses.

When? The power of your eyes can fluctuate till the age of 25, after which it gets stable. So make sure to get your eyesight checked at least once every 2 years.

Kreena Desai

Hauterfly's Content Writer and Video Producer, Kreena is a sucker for all things DIY. In love with nail art, beauty, fashion, textiles, and all things creative under the sun, she follows the mantra: Why buy, when you can DIY?!

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