page 1

SCREENING TESTS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

GUIDELINES FOR MEN

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

womenshealth.gov

1-800-994-9662

TDD: 1-888-220-5446

NAT I O N A L WO M E N ’ S H E A LT H I N F O R M AT I O N C E N T E R

This chart lists recommended screenings and immunizations for men at average risk for most diseases. 

These are guidelines only. Your health care provider will personalize the timing of each test and 

immunization to best meet your health care needs.

Screening Tests Ages 18- 39 Ages 40- 49 Ages 50- 64 Ages 65 and Older

General Health:

Full checkup, 

including weight 

and height 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Heart Health:

Blood pressure test

At least every 2 

years 

At least every 2 

years 

At least every 2 

years 

At least every 2 

years 

Cholesterol test Start at age 20, 

discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Diabetes: 

Blood sugar test

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Start at age 45, 

then every 3 years 

Every 3 years Every 3 years

Prostate Health:

Digital Rectal Exam 

(DRE)

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Prostate-Specifi c

Antigen (PSA) 

(blood test) 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Reproductive 

Health:

Testicular exam 

Monthly selfexam; and part 

of a general 

checkup. 

Monthly selfexam; and part 

of a general 

checkup. 

Monthly selfexam; and part 

of a general 

checkup. 

Monthly self-exam; 

and part of a general checkup. 

Chlamydia test Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Sexually Transmitted 

Disease (STD) tests 

Both partners 

should get tested 

for STDs, including HIV, before 

initiating sexual 

intercourse. 

Both partners 

should get tested 

for STDs, including HIV, before 

initiating sexual 

intercourse. 

Both partners 

should get tested 

for STDs, including HIV, before 

initiating sexual 

intercourse. 

Both partners 

should get tested 

for STDs, including 

HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. 

Colorectal Health:

Fecal occult blood 

test

Yearly Yearly

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (with fecal 

occult blood test is 

preferred)

Every 5 years 

(if not having a 

colonoscopy) 

Every 5 years (if not 

having a colonoscopy) 

Double Contrast 

Barium Enema 

(DCBE) 

Every 5-10 years 

(if not having a 

colonoscopy or 

sigmoidoscopy)

Every 5-10 years 

(if not having a 

colonoscopy or 

sigmoidoscopy)
page 2

SCREENING TESTS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

GUIDELINES FOR MEN

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

womenshealth.gov

1-800-994-9662

TDD: 1-888-220-5446

NAT I O N A L WO M E N ’ S H E A LT H I N F O R M AT I O N C E N T E R

Screening Tests Ages 18- 39 Ages 40- 49 Ages 50- 64 Ages 65 and Older

Colonoscopy Every 10 years Every 10 years

Rectal exam Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Every 5-10 years 

with each screening (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, 

or DCBE) 

Every 5-10 years 

with each screening 

(sigmoidoscopy, 

colonoscopy, or 

DCBE) 

Eye and Ear 

Health:

Eye exam

Get your eyes 

checked if you 

have problems or 

visual changes.

Every 2-4 years Every 2-4 years Every 1-2 years

Hearing test Starting at age 

18, then every 10 

years 

Every 10 years Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

Skin Health:

Mole exam

Monthly mole 

self-exam; by a 

doctor every 3 

years, starting at 

age 20.

Monthly mole 

self-exam; by a 

doctor every year. 

Monthly mole 

self-exam; by a 

doctor every year. 

Monthly mole selfexam; by a doctor 

every year. 

Oral Health:

Dental exam

One to two times 

every year 

One to two times 

every year 

One to two times 

every year 

One to two times 

every year 

Mental Health 

Screening

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Immunizations:

Infl uenza vaccine

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse. 

Yearly Yearly 

Pneumococcal 

vaccine 

One time only

Tetanus-Diphtheria 

Booster vaccine

Every 10 years Every 10 years Every 10 years Every 10 years

Current as of June 2006