Free preventive checks for women aged 20–39 in Lithuania: what the state covers

The one VLK programme that covers this age group

The cervical cancer prevention programme funded by the National Health Insurance Fund (Valstybinė ligonių kasa, VLK) applies to women aged 25 to 59 inclusive. In the 20–39 age band that means it starts at 25: before 25 the programme does not apply, and a cervical smear is done only where there is a medical indication, not on the programme's interval. The cardiovascular disease prevention programme, funded for people insured under the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (Privalomojo sveikatos draudimo fondas, PSDF), applies only from the age of 40, so it does not reach this group either.

Cervical cancer prevention programme: age, interval and who orders it

What the programme includes

• Cervical cytology smear (25–34).
• High-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) test (from 35).
• Liquid-based cytology smear, if the HR HPV test is positive.
• Biopsy, if it is needed to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

How to get the test

• Contact your family doctor (šeimos gydytojas) or an obstetrician-gynaecologist for a referral (siuntimas) for the test.
• Below the age of 25 the programme does not apply — if you have symptoms that worry you, your family doctor (šeimos gydytojas) can assess you individually.

Tests a doctor commonly adds at this age

None of the tests below is part of a VLK programme for this age group, and none of them has a programme age or interval attached to it. They are ordered by your family doctor (šeimos gydytojas) on individual indication; when a doctor orders them on a medical indication they can also be done free of charge, and without a referral they can be done privately at your own expense.

Why these particular tests come up between 20 and 39

The span from 20 to 39 covers several different stages — from your first visits to a doctor on your own through to planning a pregnancy — so what is tested depends on the individual situation rather than on age alone. Ferritin, which reflects iron stores, and total haemoglobin matter at this age because menstrual blood loss can reduce iron stores over time without producing obvious symptoms. A TSH test shows how the thyroid is working, but one result does not reveal the cause. A folic acid test is particularly relevant when planning a pregnancy, because an adequate level is linked to the development of the foetal neural tube. A vitamin D test is useful for assessing levels where there are symptoms linked to bone health or a high risk of deficiency, such as limited exposure to sunlight, though routine testing of everyone is not recommended. Glucose and cholesterol at this age are usually done as a baseline, one-off assessment rather than as a regular VLK programme, because the cardiovascular disease prevention programme for people insured under the PSDF applies only from 40. Results, and particularly results outside the usual ranges, should be discussed with a doctor alongside your own health history.

When not to wait for a scheduled check

If a situation is life-threatening, call the emergency number 112. For everything else on this list, contact your family doctor (šeimos gydytojas) or an obstetrician-gynaecologist.

• Bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, or periods that are heavier or last longer than usual — do not wait for a scheduled check.
• Persistent severe tiredness, dizziness or shortness of breath — see a doctor rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
• Planning a pregnancy while you have a chronic condition or take regular medication — talk to a doctor in advance about how to prepare.
• Pelvic pain, unusual discharge or other symptoms that worry you, at any age — contact your family doctor (šeimos gydytojas) or an obstetrician-gynaecologist.
• In an emergency, call 112 rather than waiting for an appointment.

Lithuanian terms you will see on forms and at the desk