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.
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!
Menopause is the absence of spontaneous periods for 12 months and typically occurs around age 52. Early-onset menopause can happen between ages 40 and 45. Symptoms of the transition, called perimenopause, often begin 7 to 10 years earlier. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) can help relieve symptoms, along with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and weight management.
Menopause is the absence of spontaneous periods for 12 months and typically occurs around age 52. Early-onset menopause can happen between ages 40 and 45. Symptoms of the transition, called perimenopause, often begin 7 to 10 years earlier. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) can help relieve symptoms, along with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and weight management.
Screening looks for signs of disease or assesses risk factors before symptoms appear. For instance, mammograms help detect breast cancer; Pap tests screen for cervical cancer; colonoscopies check for colorectal cancer; DEXA scans assess bone density for osteoporosis; and measuring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose helps identify risks for heart disease and diabetes. Regular screenings can catch potential issues early, making treatment more effective.
Emotional health is your ability to cope with life’s ups and downs, manage stress and maintain positive relationships. It’s closely connected to mental and physical health. Paying attention to your feelings, getting support when needed and making time for movement and things that bring you joy all support emotional well-being.
Bladder control is the ability to store and release urine properly, which can be affected by pregnancy, childbirth, aging or medical conditions. Issues with bladder function include incontinence (loss of bladder control), urinary retention (difficulty emptying the bladder), urinary frequency (needing to urinate often) and urgency (sudden, strong urges to urinate), all of which may require medical evaluation and treatment.
Sexual health is about more than just preventing infections; it’s about feeling informed, safe and supported in your choices. It includes things like STI testing, birth control, healthy relationships and addressing concerns like pain with sex or low libido. Regular checkups can help you stay in control of your sexual wellness.
Menopause Hormone Therapy, aka hormone replacement therapy, can help manage perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Your provider will consider factors such as your age, cardiovascular health, cancer risks and family medical history when determining if MHT/HRT is right for you, and how long you should continue treatment.
By now, you likely have a rhythm to your care—but it’s still worth checking in. Screening recommendations can change over time, and your provider can help you stay on track and adjust as needed. At this stage, most routine preventive care is best managed by your primary care provider, with us focusing on reproductive health.
Everyone every year, with additional screening modalities as recommended by your provider based on your personal and family history.
You know the drill: screening continues through age 65 if your results have been normal. At age 65, you can often stop cervical screening if you have 10 years of normal results.
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended starting at age 65. Earlier screening may be appropriate based on your risk factors.
Talk with your gastroenterologist or primary care provider about how often to continue screening. Timing depends on your past results, the type of test used, and your risk factors.
These screenings are likely already part of your routine—and they matter more than ever.
Yep, still. Staying current on vaccines is part of staying healthy.
By now, you likely have a rhythm to your care—but it’s still worth checking in. Screening recommendations can change over time, and your provider can help you stay on track and adjust as needed. At this stage, most routine preventive care is best managed by your primary care provider, with us focusing on reproductive health.
Everyone every year, with additional screening modalities as recommended by your provider based on your personal and family history.
You know the drill: screening continues through age 65 if your results have been normal. At age 65, you can often stop cervical screening if you have 10 years of normal results.
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended starting at age 65. Earlier screening may be appropriate based on your risk factors.
Talk with your gastroenterologist or primary care provider about how often to continue screening. Timing depends on your past results, the type of test used, and your risk factors.
These screenings are likely already part of your routine—and they matter more than ever.
Yep, still. Staying current on vaccines is part of staying healthy.
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.
