Menopause and Beyond

Every year, you should see your women’s health provider for a wellness visit. These appointments are sometimes called “well-woman visits,” and they’re important for anyone who has a vulva, uterus, or breasts. During each visit, your provider will do a physical exam, including checking your height, weight, and blood pressure. For most people, you’ll also have a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer until the age of 65.

These visits are also an ideal time to discuss any health concerns you have, such as menopause symptoms, urinary incontinence, and staying healthy as you age. Your provider will also review which health screenings you’re due for.

Breast cancer screening involves checking your breasts for signs of cancer before any symptoms appear. This is usually done through self-exams in conjunction with mammograms. Sometimes, it may involve other screening techniques, like breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Women ages 40 to 70 who have an average risk of breast cancer should get a mammogram every year. After age 70, you and your women’s health provider will determine whether or not you should continue screening. Depending on your personal risk, including family history, your recommended screening may begin earlier, continue later, and/or involve additional screening tests.

Colorectal cancer usually begins with precancerous polyps (or abnormal growths) in your colon or rectum. Screening for colorectal cancer helps find these polyps in order to remove them before they turn into cancer. Women ages 45 to 75 should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer using a visual exam called a colonoscopy (which looks for signs of cancer in your colon and rectum) or a stool-based test (which looks for signs of cancer in your stool).

At this stage of your life, you can look back on a life you’re proud of — and make plans for a future of continued happiness and wellness. New emotional changes are at bay, including new health concerns, changes in independence, and shifts in relationships. Amidst it all, it’s important to take hold of your emotional wellness — and your women’s health provider can support you in that endeavor. They can also screen for depression, anxiety, domestic violence, alcohol use, and substance use.

As you age, there are many factors that can impact your balance, such as mobility problems or changes in vision. These falls can result in injury, ranging from minor bruises to broken bones to serious head injuries. Fall risk assessments can be done to determine how likely you are to fall so you can take steps to reduce your risk. These steps may include exercises, medication adjustments, and changing your footwear.

Menopause is when you haven’t had your period for a full year without any other obvious causes. This usually happens between the ages of 50 and 58, though you may have begun to experience symptoms up to 8 years before your final period (called perimenopause). Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, and the thinning and drying of vaginal tissues (which can cause pain during sex). Your women’s health provider can help you find ways to ease symptoms until they subside on their own.

Osteoporosis screening is recommended starting in women 65 years and older (and women under 65 who have been through menopause and have an increased risk of osteoporosis). This is done using a bone density test, which measures your bone strength. Because there are no symptoms of osteoporosis, bone density tests help determine if you have osteoporosis and are more likely to break a bone. If you have osteoporosis, you can take measures to slow down bone loss, such as adjusting your diet, getting more exercise, or taking supplements or medications.

While pregnancy and contraception may no longer be a concern after menopause, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) still are. Condoms are the best way to protect against STIs unless you are in a monogamous relationship (you and your partner only have sex with each other) and you’ve both been tested for STIs.

STI screenings test for diseases like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. These tests may be blood tests or swab tests.

As you get older, you may find yourself gaining more body fat than before. While this is normal, too much weight gain can put you at risk of other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Your women’s health provider will work alongside you to determine what a healthy weight is for you and find ways to reach and/or maintain that goal through lifestyle choices, like nutrition and staying active as you age.