RAISING WOMEN’S HEALTH AT EVERY AGE
You’re not imagining it—women (especially women of color) are treated differently when they walk into a doctor’s office. Though many physicians are working to correct those gender biases, women’s pain is still less likely to be taken seriously, their diagnoses can take longer and they’re more likely to be told they have a mental health issue even when their symptoms are consistent with a physical ailment.
When you take charge of your health, you have a better understanding of what your body is going through at all stages and can be better empowered to advocate for yourself.
I want to share with you some tips I give my patients when they want to manage their health better so that you have the tools you need to know your body and be able to enjoy what life has to offer at every age.
In your 20s & 30s:
Know your family history. Let your doctor know if you have relatives who died young or from diseases that can run in families, including heart disease and cancers of the breast and colon. This will help determine if you need preventive screenings earlier than your peers.
Keep tabs on your mental health. Mental illness can emerge in your 20s and 30s, especially with stressors such as transitioning to adulthood or becoming a parent. Ask your doctor about mental health screenings (especially if you’re postpartum). It could be that symptoms you thought were just part of life, including fatigue, distractedness, excessive worries, and trouble sleeping, are treatable symptoms related to underlying conditions.
Prioritize your annual checkup. Even if you feel great, you still want to make sure you get your yearly physical. Routine bloodwork, check-ins about your overall well-being and plans for preventive screenings are all critical for mitigating the risk of chronic conditions.
Get in the habit of keeping your medical records. You have a right to all of your medical records, and keeping them in one easy-to-access place will make it easier for you to spot patterns and answer questions about your health down the line. Now, many doctor’s offices use portals to share that info with you, but you can also always call an office and ask them to send it to you in a way that works for you.
Don’t be afraid to push back when you’re not taken seriously. If you find yourself in a situation where your pain feels dismissed, ask questions like, “You don’t seem concerned about this symptom. Why is that?” If you think that your problems still aren’t taken seriously, seek care elsewhere.
Get enough calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are crucial for keeping your bones strong and preventing osteoporosis. You may be able to get enough calcium through your diet with foods like yogurt, cheese, dark leafy green vegetables and lentils. Vitamin D is tougher to absorb through only diet and sunlight, so talk to your physician about your levels and whether a supplement might help.
In your 40s:
Start your screenings. Many cancer screenings start around 40 or 45, though this can change based on your family history and other conditions. Talk with your physician about preventive measures like colonoscopies, mammograms and screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Recognize your stressors. Every decade has its stressors, but your 40s can feel like a pile-on with more intense career demands, parenting getting more complex, and potentially having to care for aging loved ones. Ask your physician about screenings for depression and anxiety, and do your best to take time for yourself and ask for help when possible.
Incorporate more healthy habits. If you’re not already following a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet and getting adequate exercise (about a half-hour of cardiovascular exercise five days a week when your heart pounds enough that it’s tough to hold a conversation, plus weight-bearing exercise to promote bone health), it’s a good time to experiment with the meals and exercise routines that can work for you in the long run.
In your 50s:
Learn what to expect from menopause. Menopause is a big adjustment, and you may find yourself needing to change your diet or lifestyle to manage some symptoms. You may also have changes in cholesterol or blood pressure. Talk to your physician about all the differences you notice in your body at this time, even seemingly small ones.
Take care of your heart. Heart disease is the top killer of women, and its symptoms aren’t always easy to spot. Ask your physician about a heart-disease evaluation and warning signs to know (especially since we typically learn only about the warning signs for men).
Prepare for the future. This is a great age to start talking about an advanced directive, or how you envision care at the end of your life. Your wishes can change over time, but starting the tough conversations now gives you time to consider different options while the stakes are still low, plus opportunities to discuss them with loved ones and trusted care professionals.
In your 60s and beyond:
Don’t be offended by new questions from your doctor. At this age, I start to look for subtle, early warning signs of cognitive decline, since early intervention can be key to correcting it. I may ask questions about forgetfulness levels or ask you to run through a few cognitive-screening exercises. Please know that these questions aren’t meant to judge or belittle you—I just want to provide tools to stay sharp in the years ahead.
Don’t compare yourself to your peers. There will start to be bigger health disparities between you and other people your age. You might be running a marathon while a friend is dealing with decreased mobility or chronic illness. It’s important to focus on your body—what you can do with it, what choices help you feel your best, and what your doctor recommends for you to stay healthy.
Evaluate your need for screenings. As you age, preventive screenings become more dependent on your overall health. Some 80-year-olds with several advanced chronic diseases may choose to forgo a mammogram, for instance, while another 80-year-old who plays tennis every day might get hers. Talk with your physician about what screenings you should keep up with, and consider what you would do with the knowledge that came from one.
Build your support system. The isolation that can come with aging can lead to depression and worsening physical health. Talk to your physician if you find your network isn’t giving you what you need. We can point you toward resources such as community centers and support groups where you can connect with people who understand your challenges.
No matter your age, try to be open with your physician, even if we ask questions that seem personal or invasive. No doctor is trying to pry, but because health and well-being are impacted in many ways, a good screening includes questions about all aspects of your life. When we’re able to consider deterrents to care—barriers to taking prescribed medication, an unsafe home, a financial situation that will prevent you from seeking further treatment—we’ll be able to come up with a plan to better serve your needs and point you to resources that can help resolve your challenges.
When you take steps to keep your mind and body healthy at every stage of your life, you’ll be able to enjoy all the exciting, new things that life throws at you through every chapter.