Checkups & Vaccines by Age

Decade by decade

For men at average risk. Your doctor may add to this based on your history. Build your personal checklist →

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge in the body's main artery. It usually causes no symptoms until it ruptures, which is often fatal. It's much more common in men, and smoking is the biggest risk factor.

The USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound for men aged 65–75 who have ever smoked (generally defined as 100+ cigarettes in a lifetime). It's quick, painless, and uses no radiation. Men in that age range who never smoked may be offered one based on other risk factors, such as a family history of aneurysm.

Hepatitis & HIV

• Hepatitis C: a one-time test for all adults 18–79. Many people with hep C don't know how they got it, and it's now curable with 8–12 weeks of pills.
• Hepatitis B: a one-time test for all adults, per the CDC, and vaccination if you're not protected.
• HIV: a one-time test for everyone 15–65, and more often if you have new partners or other risks. Effective treatment and prevention (PrEP) are available.

Ask your doctor about regular testing for other sexually transmitted infections if you have new or multiple partners.

Bone density

Osteoporosis isn't just a women's disease. About 1 in 4 men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, and men are more likely than women to die in the year after a hip fracture. Screening guidance for men is less settled than for women, but common recommendations suggest a bone density (DEXA) scan:

• At 70 or older, or
• At 50–69 with risk factors: low testosterone, long-term steroid use, a prior fracture, low body weight, heavy drinking, smoking, or certain medications (including some prostate cancer treatments).

Strength training, enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D, and not smoking all protect bone. Strength training guide →

Hearing, vision & teeth

Hearing

Men develop hearing loss earlier and more often than women, partly from noise exposure at work, with power tools, and at shooting ranges. Untreated hearing loss is linked to social isolation, depression, and dementia. In a major 2023 trial, hearing aids slowed cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk. Get a hearing test around 50, sooner if you notice problems, and protect your ears from loud noise. Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available for mild to moderate loss.

Vision

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline eye exam at 40, when early signs of glaucoma and other diseases often first appear, and exams every 1–2 years from 65. Men with diabetes or high blood pressure need regular eye exams regardless of age.

Teeth & gums

Dental checkups every 6–12 months catch gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer early. Gum disease is linked with heart disease and diabetes, and men are more likely to have it.

Mental health

Depression in men often looks different: more irritability, anger, risk-taking, drinking, and physical complaints, and less obvious sadness. Men die by suicide at roughly four times the rate of women. Guidelines recommend screening all adults for depression, and adults under 65 for anxiety, at routine visits.

Be honest on those questionnaires. Therapy and medication both work, and low testosterone, sleep apnea, and thyroid problems can all mimic or worsen depression. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time.

Take our private two-minute check-in →

Adult vaccines

Vaccines are one of the most effective preventive tools for adults, and many men are behind on them. Here's the general adult schedule.

Shingrix is worth highlighting. Shingles can cause nerve pain that lasts months or years, and the vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing it. You should get it even if you've already had shingles or the older Zostavax vaccine.

Getting the most from a checkup

1. Get a primary care doctor if you don't have one. Continuity matters: someone who knows your history catches changes.
2. Bring a list: symptoms, questions, medications, and supplements (including any TRT, peptides, or pre-workout).
3. Know your family history, especially heart disease, cancers, and diabetes in parents and siblings, and at what ages.
4. Bring your numbers: home blood pressure readings and any outside lab results. Check where your numbers fall →
5. Mention the awkward stuff: erections, urination, mood, drinking, snoring. These are often early signs of treatable problems.