A woman’s medical needs change throughout her life. At every stage, it’s important to know what your body requires and how that can affect your health. Doing so can help you avoid problems and enjoy a fuller life.

Women can and should play an active role in ensuring their own good health. Throughout their lives, they can do so by eating wisely, exercising, getting vaccinated, having regular exams, and talking with doctors. It’s never too early to embrace these good habits. Puberty is an excellent time to start.

During puberty, girls literally grow up and become sexually mature women, able to have children. The start, end, and duration of this stage vary greatly. Some girls enter it as early as age eight. Others begin later and may not finish the process until they are 17 or 18. The changes that come with puberty can be confusing. Doctors can help make this transition easier. They can provide medical care and advice. Plus, they can explain to young patients what’s happening to their bodies and why. In particular, physicians can treat girls who have menstrual problems. Modern treatments can help especially when periods are painful, long or heavy.

As women enter their teen years and early 20s, experts recommend that they get:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations. HPV is America’s most common sexually transmitted virus. Modern vaccines can protect women from HPV infections that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. Experts agree that vaccinations are most effective when given before sexual exposure to females and now males ages 9 to 26.

• Pap smears. These test for cervical cancer. The procedure involves getting cells from the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus at the vagina’s top. Early detection of this cancer can help with treatment. Researchers recommend that women start getting pap smears at age 21. Testing should continue about every two years until a woman is 30. At that point, pap smears should be done every three years until age 70. More frequent tests may be necessary based on individual risk factors and is best determined by your healthcare provider.

Once a woman enters her early adult years, ages 21 to 45, reproductive medicine often becomes important. This is true whether she wants to become pregnant or not. For women who aim at avoiding pregnancy, there are many safe, effective, easy-to-use options. Birth control choices range from medicine to implantable devices. Physicians can offer advice about which method is best.

For women who do want to become pregnant, a doctor is a great ally. Physicians can advise patients who need help conceiving or refer them to specialists. Plus, a doctor can ensure a patient is in her best health before she becomes pregnant. Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obtaining goal weight will decrease complications in pregnancy and improve the chances of a healthy baby.

Most women should get a physical exam every year beginning at age 21. These should continue throughout a patient’s life. Besides checking overall health, these examinations should include an annual mammogram at age 40, or earlier if a family history of breast cancer exists. Doctors also may pursue genetic tests if a patient has an elevated risk for breast or ovarian cancer. In addition, a yearly examination should include tests for sexually transmitted infections if a patient is sexually active.

From ages 45 to 55, women should continue annual physicals and breast cancer exams and tests. They also should ask their doctor to do a thyroid screening, check cholesterol levels, and conduct a colonoscopy, starting at age 50. Follow-up tests for colon cancer should be done every 10 years or more frequently if a patient has a family history of the disease.

Most women in this age group will enter perimenopause, a phase that precedes menopause. Menopause is a natural process during which menstruation and fertility ends. It typically occurs for American women at about age 51. Perimenopause can start as early as 10 years before menopause happens. During perimenopause, a woman may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. Modern medical advances now offer a variety of treatments, including hormonal ones, to make this transition more comfortable.

By age 55, most women have experienced menopause. They should continue getting annual physicals and exams mentioned earlier. Most women should have their bone density checked as well. As women age, their bone density decreases. This can increase the possibility of fractures. By monitoring bone density, doctors can prescribe appropriate medicines and suggest exercises that can reduce the chance of breaks.

Clearly, women undergo a number of physical changes throughout their lives that can have a major impact on their health. To ensure that you navigate each one successfully, be sure to learn as much as you can about each phase and to consult a trusted physician whenever you have questions.

Angela Parson, M.D., is a Norfolk-based obstetrician/gynecologist with Hampton Roads OB/GYN Center, a Bon Secours Medical Group practice.