Essential health screenings and tests that every woman should know about

Your Health: From Teens to Menopause 

From your first period to menopause, taking care of your reproductive health is essential for your overall health and well-being. 

Periods  

Every woman experiences periods differently and knowing what’s normal for you can help manage your periods and fertility as well as identifying any changes early.  

See a clinician if you notice changes to your periods such as a period that lasts longer than 7 days, pain that interferes with your daily life, heavy or irregular periods or bleeding between periods. At Pharmacy2U, we offer a range of period products to make your time of the month more manageable.

Contraception and Sexual Health  

There are many methods of birth control, including condoms, the contraceptive pill, implants, injections, and the IUD. Which type is best for you depends on factors such as your general health, medical history, and personal preference. Remember that only barrier methods like condoms protect against STIs, and you should have regular STI tests if you are sexually active. 

At Pharmacy2U, we offer a wide range of birth control options including condoms and the contraceptive pill.  We also offer free and confidential support to help you decide on the best type of contraception for you through our NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.  

Pregnancy  

Health screening during pregnancy includes routine scans, blood tests and other checks to monitor the health of you and your baby. Find out what to expect in pregnancy with our helpful week by week pregnancy guide.  

Trying for a baby? An ovulation test helps identify your fertile days and takes the guesswork out of planning your pregnancy. We also stock a range of quick, easy and accurate pregnancy tests. During your pregnancy, follow a healthy, balanced diet, take regular, gentle exercise, and get plenty of rest. At Pharmacy2U, we offer a range of pregnancy vitamins to support the health of you and your growing baby.  

Cervical Screening

A cervical screening, also known by its former name as a smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It's offered to women and people with a cervix who are aged 25 to 64. 

Your sample will be checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are high-risk types of HPV. If they are not found, no further tests will be necessary. If these types of HPV are found, the sample is checked for any cell changes to help protect you against cancer.

What is YorkTest female hormones test?

The YorkTest female hormones test is a simple, at-home blood test designed to measure key hormones in a woman's body. This easy-to-use kit tests for a total of six hormones to provide a comprehensive assessment of hormonal balance.

The hormones included in the test are LH, FSH, Prolactin, Testosterone, Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin, and the Free Androgen Index. The test provides hospital standard, easy-to-read results within 7 days. Suitable for women over 20 not on oral contraceptives or HRT.

What are the key features?

• Tests for 6 key female hormone markers

• Simple at-home finger-prick blood test that requires minimal blood sample

• No social interaction required - track your sample via the Customer Wellness Hub

• Provides hospital standard, easy-to-read results online within 7 days

• YorkTest will signpost to your GP if any results show a reaction of concern

Your Health: From 40 to 74

From your mid-40s onwards, it’s important to take steps to protect your heart, bones, and other areas of your health.

Menopause  

Perimenopause often starts in your mid to late 40s, with most women reaching menopause at around 51 years of age. Symptoms may include hot flushes, mood swings and vaginal dryness.  

The YorkTest menopause test is an easy and convenient at-home blood test designed to determine the levels of LH and FSH key markers in the body - crucial indicators of menopausal status. The test requires a simple finger-prick to obtain a blood sample.

This test is ideally suited for women who are approaching menopausal age, providing hospital-standard results, which can easily be read and understood.

We offer a range of products, including menopause vitamins, relief for vaginal symptoms like Gina, and a range of vaginal moisturisers.  

Bone Health  

Bone density declines after menopause which can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.  

To support your bone health, follow a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D, and take regular weight-bearing exercise. We also offer a home-test kit from MyHealthChecked to check for vitamin D deficiency. 

What to eat 

Dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cottage cheese are rich in calcium. So are leafy greens like kale and broccoli. You can also find fortified foods that contain calcium such as orange juice, tofu and some breakfast cereals.  

For natural sources of vitamin D, try to include 2 servings a week of fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel if your diet allows. Egg yolks, some mushrooms, and foods fortified with vitamin D can also increase your intake.  

Breast health 

The risk of breast cancer increases with age, and it is most common in women over the age of 50.  

Make a habit of checking your breasts every month to identify changes such as lumps, changes to your nipples, or dimpling of your skin. See your GP if you find anything unusual. 

Bowel health  

The risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age. Symptoms include a change in bowel habits, blood in your stool, weight loss, and fatigue. You may not have symptoms in the early stages of bowel cancer.  

You can help lower your risk of bowel cancer by following a healthy diet, limiting red and processed meats, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and limiting alcohol. We offer home tests to detect bowel changes including early bowel cancer. 

Blood pressure  

Often known as “the silent killer,” high blood pressure often doesn’t have symptoms in the early stages. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke. While high blood pressure can occur at any age, it becomes more common in women with age, particularly after menopause.  

Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, not smoking and reducing salt in your diet can help to reduce your risk of high blood pressure. You can get your blood pressure checked at your GP, most pharmacies or monitor your blood pressure at home. 

Cholesterol  

The risk of high cholesterol increases in women, particularly after menopause. Untreated high cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries (atherosclerosis) which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.  

Help keep your cholesterol in check by following a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, not smoking and taking regular exercise. Check your cholesterol and other heart health parameters with our healthy heart check by PocDoc.  

Type 2 Diabetes  

Type 2 diabetes is more common in women than men, especially after menopause. The condition can lead to complications with your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.  

Maintaining a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and keeping active are the main ways to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and take medication to manage it, it may have been recommended by your GP to monitor your blood sugars at home. This can help control your risk of developing hypoglycaemia (when your blood sugar drops too low leading to symptoms like shakiness, confusion and sweating).  

Thyroid Issues       

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is more common in women and the risk increases with age, particularly after 60. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and dry skin and hair.  

Speak to your clinician if you notice symptoms of hypothyroidism. We offer a home test with your results checked by a clinician. Make sure you follow up with your GP if your results are abnormal as you will need treatment.  

Energy and Nutrition  

As you get older, it can become more difficult to absorb vitamin B12 from your food, leading to symptoms like low energy, weakness and fatigue.  

Home tests to check your vitamin and mineral levels and energy profile can identify any deficiencies. Always follow up with your GP if your results come back abnormal.  

Health Advice for All Ages

Here are some health tips for women of all ages.

Weight management  

Maintaining a healthy weight improves your overall health and reduces your risk of many conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.  

To keep your weight within healthy limits follow a balanced nutritious diet such as the Mediterranean diet, and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. We'd recommend consulting your GP before making any drastic changes to your diet, particularly if you take regular medication or live with a long-term health condition. If you’re finding it hard to lose weight and have a BMI of 30 or above, or 27+ with a weight related health condition, you can reach out for support from our Online Doctor. 

What is YorkTest premium food intolerance test?

The YorkTest premium food intolerance test is a home-based blood test designed to identify any intolerances to over 200 food and drink ingredients. The test is thorough, convenient, and adapts to any diet, making it easy for you to make decisions for your health.

Your results from the test are made available online within a week, with additional support provided through a 30-minute consultation with a nutritional therapist.

What are the key features?

• Comprehensive analysis of up to 200 food and drink ingredients

• Easy-to-use at-home blood test that requires just a few drops of blood

• Online access to test results within 7 days

• Follow-up 30-minute consultation with a Nutritional Therapist

• Included dietary support to help you adjust your diet as per the test results

Sun protection  

While we may “feel better with a tan”, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds damage skin cells and can lead to skin cancer.  

To protect your skin from the sun, wear a high-factor sunscreen, cover up while in the sun and seek shade from 10am to 4pm when the sun is strongest. Avoid sunbeds and keep an eye on any moles. If you notice any new moles or changes in existing moles, see your GP.  

Mental Health  

Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are more common in women and may be linked to stressful life events, genetics, physical health conditions, and hormonal and chemical imbalances.  

If you think you may be facing mental health challenges, the first step is reaching out for help and support from family, friends, support groups and healthcare professionals. Ensuring you are in the best possible physical health, reducing stress, staying active, and getting adequate sleep can also help improve your mental health.