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Women’s Health: Continuing to Make Health a Priority

Women's Health: Going Far In Your 50s

Health & Wellness

Turning 50 is a major milestone for many women – one often marked by a feeling of self-assuredness, stability, and pride. At this stage in a woman’s life, her children may be grown and moving out to live independently, while her parents are aging and may be more dependent on her.

Many women experience menopause in their early 50s, along with other significant changes to their bodies. As women age, it is important they make their health a priority. Regular checkups with the doctor, eating nutritious meals, exercising, and avoiding stress are the keys to living a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Below are some guidelines for women ages 50 and older on how to stay healthy.

HEALTH RISKS TO BE AWARE OF

  • Stroke
    Eating healthy foods helps lower cholesterol levels and reduces plaque buildup in arteries. It can also help you lose weight and keep high blood pressure under control. Make healthier choices by limiting foods and ingredients that contribute to risk factors for stroke, such as foods high in sodium, saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Colon Cancer
    Changes that happen in the cells that line the colon or rectum can lead to growths called polyps. Over a period of years, polyps can turn cancerous.
  • Osteoporosis
    In later years, women need to take extra care of their bones, because the quality and quantity of bone declines as women age. If too much bone is lost or damaged, women are at a higher risk of fractures.

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
    • Skin check
    • Pelvic exam
    • BRCA 1 & 2
      Genetic breast cancer and ovarian cancer test.

Every 2 Years

  • Glucose test (annually if overweight or high risk for diabetes)
  • DEXA scan
    Bone density scan starting at age 65 if there are risk factors or a family history

Every 3 Years

  • Pap smear
  • HPV screening (until the age of 65)

Every 10 Years

  • Colonoscopy

Talk To Your Physician

  • Menopause symptoms
    Talk to your primary care doctor or gynecologist about options to find relief.

YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

  • Finding Health After Menopause
    The key to staying youthful and active after menopause is good nutrition and regular physical exercise. Calcium and Vitamin D are important in bone formation and calcium absorption. Similarly, increasing your physical activity will fight a variety of ailments such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, chronic back pain, insomnia, poor circulation, weak muscles, and depression.
  • Stay Sharp
    Keep your brain healthy as you age. Reports show that socializing with relatives and friends may help you stay mentally sharp as you grow older.

Learn more about staying healthy at every age.