What Tests Should Women Over 40 Take Annually?
Women over 40 should take key annual tests to monitor heart health, hormones, bone density, and more. Discover the essential screenings every woman should prioritise after 40.
Written by Dr. Dhankecha Mayank Dineshbhai
Reviewed by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula MBBS
Last updated on 9th Sep, 2025
Introduction
Once you cross 40, your body quietly begins to change, hormonally, metabolically, and sometimes, structurally. You may feel the effects directly through irregular periods or stubborn fatigue, or notice slower recovery, unexplained aches, or a general decline in vitality or energy. These aren’t always signs of illness, but they are signs that your body needs closer watch. Preventive diagnostics play a key role at this stage.
Yearly health tests help detect age-related shifts early. They’re particularly important during the perimenopause years (the 8–10 years leading up to menopause), when hormonal and metabolic changes can trigger bone loss, cardiovascular issues, and even increase your cancer risk. That’s why, after 40, routine screening is an essential step towards healthy ageing and long-term wellness.
Let’s explore the essential tests for women over 40 that should be considered annually, including those available through Apollo 24|7.
Why Yearly Testing Is Crucial After 40?
At 40+, your risk factors begin to shift. Some chronic conditions develop slowly and silently. That’s why testing regularly can help catch subtle red flags before they turn serious.
Some reasons why this stage of life demands proactive testing include:
- Hormone fluctuations can impact metabolism, bone density, and mental health
- Oestrogen decline raises the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis
- Breast, ovarian and cervical cancer risk increases with age
- Thyroid changes are common, yet easy to miss without lab work
- Eye, hearing and skin health also start requiring closer evaluation
Screening doesn’t mean something is wrong – it simply means you’re staying informed and in control.
Menopause, Bone, Thyroid and Cardiac Panels
Once you enter your 40s, changes in hormone levels can affect your bones, thyroid, and heart without showing immediate symptoms. That’s why combining the following tests annually is highly recommended—not just for early diagnosis, but also to establish trends in your health over time.
This blood test checks essential hormones like FSH, LH, oestradiol, and prolactin, giving you valuable insights into whether you're entering perimenopause, menopause, or facing an unrelated hormone imbalance.
It helps detect:
- Hormonal fluctuations leading to hot flushes, mood swings or menstrual irregularity
- Premature ovarian ageing
- Subtle shifts in reproductive hormones that can affect your sleep, skin, or energy levels
Even if you aren’t experiencing major symptoms, knowing where you stand hormonally helps you prepare for the road ahead—physically, emotionally and medically.
Schedule an Apollo Menopausal Profile
2. DEXA Scan – Whole Body Bone Density
Bone loss accelerates after 40, especially in women with declining oestrogen. The DEXA scan measures bone mineral density across the body and can help identify:
- Early signs of osteopenia (low bone mass)
- Osteoporosis, which increases fracture risk
- Effectiveness of supplements or lifestyle changes aimed at bone health
It’s a painless, non-invasive imaging test that usually takes less than 20 minutes and should ideally be repeated every 1–2 years for consistent tracking.
3. Thyroid Profile (Total T3, T4, TSH)
Thyroid dysfunctions like hypothyroidism or autoimmune thyroiditis often begin subtly in your 40s and can affect weight, memory, mood, or periods. This test measures:
- The body’s ability to produce thyroid hormones
- Whether you have an underactive or overactive thyroid
- Fluctuations that could explain energy slumps, hair thinning or dry skin
It’s one of the simplest and most critical tests to include yearly, particularly for women, who are more prone to thyroid-related issues.
4. Apollo Heart Superior Package
Cardiovascular risk in women rises steeply after menopause, often without obvious warning signs. This advanced package screens for:
- Full lipid profile, including HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Cardiac enzymes that signal heart stress or damage
- hs-CRP to check for underlying inflammation that can affect arteries
By catching silent red flags like artery stiffness or high triglycerides early, this test helps you take timely steps to protect your heart health, even in the absence of symptoms.
Schedule an Apollo Heart Panel - Essential
Cancer Screenings to Consider at The Age of 40
Cancers in the female body, especially those affecting the breast, cervix, uterus and ovaries, tend to become more prevalent with age. Annual screenings increase the odds of catching cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage and also give your doctor clues about hereditary risks.
Apollo Cancer Checkup – Essential Female
This comprehensive screening bundle checks for cancer markers and changes across various organs and tissues relevant to women’s health. It includes:
- CA-125, an ovarian cancer marker that’s often elevated before symptoms occur
- CEA, which may indicate breast, colon or other malignancies
- AFP, used in detecting certain types of liver or reproductive organ tumours
- Pap smear to check for precancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV
- Mammography to detect small, non-palpable lumps in the breast tissue
Even if you feel healthy and have no family history of cancer, these screenings provide a critical baseline. If there’s a personal or genetic predisposition, your doctor may recommend follow-ups every 6–12 months.
It is advisable not to wait for symptoms such as bleeding between periods, unexplained weight loss or pelvic discomfort to appear. Cancer screening is not just about fear—it's about enabling timely diagnosis and early intervention.
Schedule an Apollo Cancer Checkup Essential Female
When to Club with Breast or Eye Exams?
It’s practical to club annual lab screenings with physical or imaging-based checks. Some you can schedule around your menstrual cycle, while others (like eye exams) can be timed yearly.
Breast Check (Clinical + Mammography)
Women aged 40–44 can opt for annual mammograms if they have moderate risk. From 45 onward, yearly mammograms are strongly recommended. Combine this with a clinical breast exam by your doctor and regular self-checks at home.
Eye and Dental Exams
Vision changes such as presbyopia and dry eyes become more common post-40. An annual eye exam helps detect glaucoma, cataracts and retinal problems. Dental clean-ups also prevent age-related gum and enamel issues.
Skin & Mole Screening
Annual skin checks help identify sun damage or pre-cancerous changes early. If you notice any new or changing moles, consult a dermatologist without delay.
Explore 40+ Women’s Packages via Apollo 24|7
Instead of booking tests one by one, consider complete women’s health check-ups that are curated for your age group. These bundles are convenient, cost-effective and designed to offer a comprehensive wellness snapshot.
This package includes:
- Blood sugar and lipid panels
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Vitamin D, B12 and calcium
- Thyroid and hormonal screening
- Complete blood count
This one test alone can cover over 20 parameters relevant to mid-life health and is ideal as your annual health baseline.
Book an Apollo Women Wellness Package
Conclusion
Turning 40 may not feel like a milestone, but for your body, it quietly marks the beginning of change. From metabolism to mood and muscles to memory, every system begins adjusting. That’s why annual testing is about more than just numbers. It’s about understanding your body’s rhythm, risks and needs. By staying regular with tests for bone, breast, hormones and heart, you can prevent complications that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. These screenings are not just for illness – they are your personalised roadmap to long-term vitality. Apollo 24|7 offers home sample collection, digital reports, and specialist consultations that make preventive care easy and accessible. Because at this age, your body isn’t slowing down – it’s asking you to pay closer attention to health needs.