Turning 40 is an important milestone for your health. There are three health checks every woman over 40 should have, yet many women are quietly missing at least one.

Not because they don’t care — but because these changes often happen silently, without obvious symptoms. 

Here are the three checks worth staying on top of:

1. Stay up to date with your cervical screening 

It’s easy to think cervical screening is something you “graduate” from after years of normal results. But you can still find cervical cancer in women throughout their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, which is why screening continues after 40.

If you’ve delayed your appointment because: 

• Your reminder letter is still sitting in a drawer.
• You never rebooked after having children.
• You thought you had “aged out” of screening.
  

…it may be time to book your next appointment. 

If you’re worried about the test being uncomfortable, tell your clinic, ask for a longer appointment, or discuss your concerns beforehand. 

Watch the full video here:

2. Check your blood pressure — even if you feel perfectly well 

High blood pressure often has no symptoms. As estrogen levels fall during your 40s and perimenopause, blood pressure can gradually begin to rise. 

If left unchecked, high blood pressure can increase the risk of: 

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Kidney problems
• Memory changes associated with dementia
  

The good news? It’s one of the most treatable health measures — but only after it’s been measured.

3. Don’t overlook your cholesterol 

Heart and circulatory disease is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide, yet many women still think it’s mainly a man’s problem.

After oestrogen levels begin to fall:

• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol may increase.
• HDL (“protective”) cholesterol may decrease.

These changes can happen without any symptoms, even if your cholesterol has always been normal before.

A simple blood test can check your cholesterol. Looking at your cholesterol alongside your blood pressure helps assess your overall heart risk and whether any action is needed.

What to do next

A few simple steps can help you stay on top of your health:

• Book a check-up for your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Check if you’re due for cervical screening.
• Keep a record of your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers over time.
  

If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, a simple sentence is enough:

“I’d like to check my blood pressure and my cholesterol levels, please.”

Key takeaway

After 40, cervical screening, blood pressure, and cholesterol are three important health checks that shouldn’t be overlooked. These changes often happen quietly, so staying up to date with screening and knowing your numbers can help you can help identify changes early and support conversations with your healthcare team.

More Reading

• Cervical Cancer Awareness – The Facts You Should Know
• Carbohydrates Overconsumption: How Does It Affect Your Body?
• Don’t Miss These 9 Hidden Body Signals (And Their Meaning)
• Understand Your Cervix – Ten Common Health Problems
• Womb Fibroids or Cervical Polyps – Which Should I Be More Worried About?

⚠️ Important Disclaimer — Speak to your doctor or healthcare team about the right screening schedule and health checks for you. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace an assessment by a healthcare professional.