Just when you’re settling into the new way of things and thinking you’re out of the woods body-change-wise, you realize your body has other plans. Let us help you understand what’s happening on the other side of menopause and how to stay healthy and feel well.
Nearly all people in this age range will be on the other side of the menopause transition. Conventional wisdom holds that symptoms, if you have them, tend to be the worst in the year leading up to menopause and the year following it. Although you may be outside of this range, you can still get help for symptoms if they’re troubling you. This could include hormone replacement therapy or alternative remedies, depending on what and how bothersome your symptoms are.
Your breast cancer risk increases with age and our attention to your breast exam does, too. Mammography has been shown to detect around 90% of breast cancers and a breast exam by a health provider has been shown to be a good addition to that.
Ah, yes. If you haven’t experienced urine leakage before, it’s not uncommon to experience it during and after menopause as estrogen continues to decline and cause changes in the tissue and muscle of the vagina, urethra and pelvic floor. The good news: urinary incontinence tends to respond very well to treatment and there are a wide range of options. Even though it can feel awkward to bring up, trust us—it’s worth it! Your clinician may have some initial suggestions to address what you’re experiencing or may recommend seeing one of our urogynecologists – a.k.a., pelvic floor health superheroes.
We want you to continue living a full and healthy life as you age. Your provider will probably want to talk about the things that could be most likely to affect that as you age, such as smoking, obesity, your family history and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
If they haven’t already, it’s likely that health issues will come up that have nothing to do with your reproductive health, and we want you to have a go-to primary health provider to help you—and us—address those things. If you need a recommendation, just ask!
Nearly all people in this age range will be on the other side of the menopause transition. Conventional wisdom holds that symptoms, if you have them, tend to be the worst in the year leading up to menopause and the year following it. Although you may be outside of this range, you can still get help for symptoms if they’re troubling you. This could include hormone replacement therapy or alternative remedies, depending on what and how bothersome your symptoms are.
Menopause is defined as the absence of spontaneous periods for 12 months. The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 52. Symptoms of the menopause transition (called perimenopause) can begin as early as 10 years before menopause and continue for several years after. Learn more >
Menopause is defined as the absence of spontaneous periods for 12 months. The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 52. Symptoms of the menopause transition (called perimenopause) can begin as early as 10 years before menopause and continue for several years after. Learn more >
Beginning at age 50, all guidelines agree: mammograms should be done annually.
You know the drill: a Pap and HPV test every three to five years as recommended by your provider until age 65 if your results are normal. If you have a track record of normal results from both the Pap and HPV test, your provider will likely recommend a frequency of every five years.
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for people of average risk beginning at age 65, but talk to your provider about starting earlier if you have had broken bones as an adult; you have a biological parent who has had a hip fracture; or if you smoke, drink excessively or are underweight. Also discuss screening frequency, which can vary from person to person.
Talk to your primary care provider about his or her recommendations for how often to be screened for colon cancer, which will depend on your risk factors, the type of screening tests you’ve had in the past and your past results.
We may be able to help with some of these when we see you. Otherwise, see your primary care provider for screening related to:
High blood pressure. Get your blood pressure tested every year. Optimal blood pressure in healthy women is less than 120/80.
Diabetes. Screening for diabetes is recommended if you are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or have had diabetes during pregnancy.
Thyroid disease. Periodic screening is recommended beginning at age 45.
Cholesterol/lipids. Screening tests for high cholesterol are recommended periodically for all people, but may be done more frequently if you are overweight, obese or have other risk factors.
Yep, still. We can help with seasonal flu and Tdap if you’re in for a visit; otherwise, see your primary care provider for:
Seasonal flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant people and older adults.
Tdap vaccine (if you’ve never had one) or a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
Shingles vaccine. Healthy adults aged 50 years and older should get a zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.
COVID vaccine. Stay up to date with current guidelines here >
Beginning at age 50, all guidelines agree: mammograms should be done annually.
You know the drill: a Pap and HPV test every three to five years as recommended by your provider until age 65 if your results are normal. If you have a track record of normal results from both the Pap and HPV test, your provider will likely recommend a frequency of every five years.
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for people of average risk beginning at age 65, but talk to your provider about starting earlier if you have had broken bones as an adult; you have a biological parent who has had a hip fracture; or if you smoke, drink excessively or are underweight. Also discuss screening frequency, which can vary from person to person.
Talk to your primary care provider about his or her recommendations for how often to be screened for colon cancer, which will depend on your risk factors, the type of screening tests you’ve had in the past and your past results.
We may be able to help with some of these when we see you. Otherwise, see your primary care provider for screening related to:
High blood pressure. Get your blood pressure tested every year. Optimal blood pressure in healthy women is less than 120/80.
Diabetes. Screening for diabetes is recommended if you are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or have had diabetes during pregnancy.
Thyroid disease. Periodic screening is recommended beginning at age 45.
Cholesterol/lipids. Screening tests for high cholesterol are recommended periodically for all people, but may be done more frequently if you are overweight, obese or have other risk factors.
Yep, still. We can help with seasonal flu and Tdap if you’re in for a visit; otherwise, see your primary care provider for:
Seasonal flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant people and older adults.
Tdap vaccine (if you’ve never had one) or a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
Shingles vaccine. Healthy adults aged 50 years and older should get a zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.
COVID vaccine. Stay up to date with current guidelines here >
The website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – this is a great resource for vaccination and disease screening and prevention recommendations.
A website to compare the cost of prescription medications.
A good resource for articles on sex after 40. Also includes various products, but this is not a specific endorsement of those.
A searchable database of current medical information for both patients and providers.
This resource from the Oregon Medical Board provides more information on what to expect from various types of physical exams at the doctor's office, including how to advocate for your rights and what to know about medical chaperones.
