Women’s Health: Navigating Through Your Body’s Changes
As women enter their 40s, they may notice their bodies changing, their eyesight not as clear, and their skin showing signs of aging. When it comes to work, this is decade when some women are at the pinnacle of their career, and others may be itching for a career change – all while trying to manage a work/life balance.
During this decade, it is critical that women maintain positive health habits, such as visiting your doctor annually, following guidelines set for screening exams, eating well-balanced meals, and exercising regularly. Also important to a woman’s overall health is her emotional well-being – and one way to manage that is to make time to enjoy a favorite hobby, such as reading, playing tennis, or cooking.
Below are some guidelines for women ages 40 to 49 on how to stay healthy.
HEALTH RISKS TO BE AWARE OF
- Heart Disease
You may be surprised to learn that heart disease is the biggest threat to your health –even more so than breast cancer. The main risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet, diabetes, family history, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. - Breast Cancer
Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of successful treatment. That’s why it’s so important to follow this plan for preventive care. - Ovarian Cancer
Cancer happens when cells in the body begin changing and multiplying out of control and form tumors. Ovarian cancer can spread from the ovaries to other parts of the body. In general, the more cancer spreads, the harder it is to treat.
SCREENINGS AND EXAMS YOU MAY NEED
Monthly
- Breast Self-Exam
Annually
- Yearly physical exam that includes:
- Clinical breast exam
- Blood pressure check
- Blood test
- Cholesterol testing
- Mammogram (beginning at age 45)
- Glaucoma screening
- Pelvic Exam
Every 3 Years
- Pap smear
- HPV screening
Every 5 Years (or more frequently if recommended)
- Glucose test (annually if overweight or high risk)
Talk To Your Physician
- Perimenopause symptoms
Talk to your primary care doctor or gynecologist about options to find relief
YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
- Work on maintaining muscle strength
Weight training provides several important health benefits for women. Most importantly, it helps you maintain a healthy weight as you approach and pass menopause. It also can help you avoid osteoporosis and prevent back problems. - Eat right today for a healthier tomorrow
People who keep weight off tend to have several habits in common. From finding an exercise routine that fits your lifestyle to slowly making changes to your diet, you can control how healthy your future self will be.