Women's Health

Once you’ve turned fifty there are several health items to focus on — including bone health, heart health, and preventive screening tests. Many women experience menopause in their early fifties. After reaching menopause, women are more prone to develop bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. They are also at higher risk for heart disease.

Keeping Bones Strong
To maintain good bone health it is important to ensure that you have an adequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women over fifty have a calcium intake of 1200 mg daily. Their recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 600 IU daily for women 50 – 70 and 800 IU daily for those over 70. Good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, cheese, and green-leafy vegetables. Foods with vitamin D include fortified milk and orange juice, salmon, mackerel, and tuna fish.

Exercise is also important for bone health. Studies have shown that the most effective form of exercise to prevent osteoporosis is weight-bearing exercise.

For Your Heart’s Sake
Heart health is another priority. Staying at a healthy weight, exercising, and maintaining a normal cholesterol are important. And, a healthy body mass index (BMI) ranges from 18.5 – 24.9.

Quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke are also helpful in reducing heart disease risk. If you have diabetes and/or high blood pressure, keeping these under control are also important.

Important Preventive Exams
Preventive Screening is another health focus. The recommendations for screening mammograms in women at average risk for breast cancer differ among national expert groups. The American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends screening mammograms on a yearly basis beginning at age 40. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening mammograms every 2 years starting at age 50 and that the decision to begin mammograms before the age of 50 should be an individual one based on a woman’s values concerning the benefits and harms.

Most women should continue cervical cancer screening on a regular basis with pap tests. Your doctor may also offer testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is the main cause of cervical cancer. Your doctor can recommend how frequently these tests be performed.

Colon cancer screening is recommended for women and men who are at average risk for colon cancer starting at age 50. There are several tests that are useful for colon cancer screening. It is important to talk with your doctor about which method of screening for colon cancer may be best for you.

– Laura Martin, MD