Women Stay Healthy Through The Decades

Although women are often pulled in several directions at once, they should all take time to focus on maintaining their good health.

Here are the essentials to help women keep their health on track in each decade of their lives.

Women In Their 20s

• Women in their twenties and thirties are generally healthy. For this age group, we frequently manage any menstrual cycle issues and provide pre-pregnancy and pregnancy care. This is also when we obtain a thorough medical/surgical history and discuss ways to promote overall health, including exercise, nutrition, practicing safe sex, self-breast awareness and vaccines to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV).

Women In Their 30s

• The primary gynecological issue for most women in their thirties is cervical cancer. Women age 30-65 should have a pap and HPV co-test every five years (preferred). It is also acceptable to have a pap test alone every three years based on each women’s individual risk.
• Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy care is also important in this age group.

Women In Their 40s

• Women in their forties may experience perimenopause symptoms, such as night sweats, hot flashes, irregular menstrual cycles and sleep issues. These issues are discussed at their visits.
• Most women start their baseline mammogram screenings at age 40, in addition to discussing bone health, the importance of weight-bearing exercise and a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
• Women should also see their primary care physician for periodic health screenings.
• Regular colon cancer screenings should begin at age 45.

Women In Their 50s

• Perimenopause and menopause symptoms are the most common concerns for women in their fifties. Management and treatment are discussed at regular visits.
• It is important for women in this age group to continue annual visits as regular exams and screenings are the best way to detect cancer or other problems early.

Women In Their 60s

• The health concerns for women in their fifties, carry over into their sixties and beyond. The keys for this age group in maintaining good health include a healthy diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, plenty of exercise and regular screenings and recommended vaccines.
• Generally, women should begin routine bone density screening to detect osteopenia or osteoporosis at age 65.
• Mammograms should continue every year, along with clinical breast exams. 
• As we age, our risk for all diseases increases. It’s important to continue regular health and gynecological screenings as well as periodic skin cancer screenings and recommended preventative vaccines.