You're 66+

Chances are you’ve graduated from OBGYN care at this point, and we’d like to say—good for you! We are here to help you manage any concerns that may arise. No matter where you are on your journey, WHA is here to provide exceptional care.

Schedule an Appointment →

Guess what?

Few over age 65 need to have continued screening tests for cervical cancer (hooray!). Depending on your history, your provider may recommend age-appropriate screening.

Hormone therapy

If you’re on HRT, talk to your provider about how that’s going for you. If you are still benefiting from it and have been taking hormones orally, your provider may want to discuss transitioning you to transdermal (through the skin). If you haven’t been on estrogen and are noticing more urogenital changes in your 60s and beyond, consider discussing vaginal estrogen with your provider.

Should you still see a gynecologist?

If your gynecologist is helping to manage any type of HRT, you should continue to see them as recommended. If you’re not on hormone therapy and you’re not experiencing gynecological issues, you should see a primary care provider or internal medicine specialist for regular preventative health care visits. In the absence of factors that put you at higher risk, Medicare recommends a preventative pelvic and breast exam every two years–and we are happy to see you for that–or any time you’re experiencing a gynecological concern.

Vaginal bleeding may be cause for concern

If you’re post-menopausal and experience vaginal bleeding, we want to talk to you right away. Call our office; we may have you talk to one of our advice nurses to help assess the situation.

Now we're cruisin'

Guess what?

Few over age 65 need to have continued screening tests for cervical cancer (hooray!). Depending on your history, your provider may recommend age-appropriate screening.

Let's talk about it

Here are some topics your provider may bring up

View All Topics →

Bladder control and function

The bladder is a muscular sac located in the pelvis just above and behind the pubic bone. It stores urine as it is a produced by the body until we go to the bathroom and release it on purpose in a controlled way through the urethra and out of the body. Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence can occur when the muscles of the bladder squeeze uncontrollably or when the muscles holding the bladder or opening to the urethra become weakened. Other types of bladder function problems can include bladder overflow and the retention of urine. There are a variety of ways we can help with urinary incontinence, so talk to your provider if this is an issue for you. Learn more about urinary incontinence.

Let's talk about it

Here are some topics your provider may bring up

Bladder control and function

Sexual comfort and enjoyment

Disease prevention

Emotional wellbeing

Physical activity

View All Topics →

Breast cancer screening

Keep on keepin’ on with annual mammograms.

Osteoporosis screening

Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for people of average risk beginning at age 65.

Colon cancer screening

Talk to your primary care provider about their 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.

General health screenings

This is old hat! See your primary care provider to screen for:

High blood pressure. Get your blood pressure tested every year. Optimal blood pressure in healthy people assigned female at birth 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, but may be done more frequently if you are overweight, obese or have other risk factors.

Vaccines

Adding one more to the list! 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. Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine (if they did not receive it as an adolescent) to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) and 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.

Pneumonia vaccine. This is recommended for all adults age 65 and older and for younger adults who have certain chronic health conditions.

COVID vaccine. Stay up to date with current guidelines here >

A simple guide to screenings and prevention

Breast cancer screening

Keep on keepin’ on with annual mammograms.

Osteoporosis screening

Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for people of average risk beginning at age 65.

Colon cancer screening

General health screenings

This is old hat! See your primary care provider to screen for:

High blood pressure. Get your blood pressure tested every year. Optimal blood pressure in healthy people assigned female at birth 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, but may be done more frequently if you are overweight, obese or have other risk factors.

Vaccines

Adding one more to the list! 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.

Shingles vaccine. Healthy adults aged 50 years and older should get a zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.

Pneumonia vaccine. This is recommended for all adults age 65 and older and for younger adults who have certain chronic health conditions.

COVID vaccine. Stay up to date with current guidelines here >

Ways We Care

Gynecology

For all your reproductive parts, from checkups to childbirth, or whatever else.

Urogynecology

Treatment for the entire pelvic floor and bladder so you can live life freely.

Mammography

Breast check-ups with the help of modern technology and top-shelf experts.

Voices of WHA

It's a Good Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine

Urinary Incontinence: "Just Deal With It" is Not the Only Option for Leakage

How women’s bodies change with age

See all WHA blog posts →

Additional Resources for You

CDC.gov

The website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – this is a great resource for vaccination and disease screening and prevention recommendations.

GoodRx

A website to compare the cost of prescription medications.

MiddlesexMD Blog

A good resource for articles on sex after 40. Also includes various products, but this is not a specific endorsement of those.

Up to Date

A searchable database of current medical information for both patients and providers.

What to Expect During a Physical Exam

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.