Taking care of your body is crucial if you want to improve your quality of life at any age. To stay healthy, you should eat the right kinds of foods and exercise regularly. Another habit that you should develop is to consult with your doctor for check-ups.
Men and women have different needs, especially with their reproductive systems. Ladies should meet with their obstetrician to maintain their health. Some diseases, like myomas or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), develop without apparent symptoms, so you should go to your private obstetrician to get checked regularly.
It’s particularly critical for women to visit their doctor once they turn 40. Here are the things that you should ask about:
1. Menopause
The primary factor that worries women about getting old is menopause. It’s like pregnancy. No matter how much you try to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, you won’t know what to expect when the time comes. This is because every woman’s body reacts differently to the changes in hormone levels.
You’re considered to be on your menopause after your menstruation has stopped for about a year or so. The symptoms can begin several years earlier, such as:
- Changes in period flow and duration – Once you reach 40 years old, you may notice that the flow and duration of your menstruation will change. It can become shorter or lengthier, as well as lighter or heavier. Your cycle may also vary. For some women, the next period may come after just two weeks, or it might take longer than usual.
- Episodes of extreme body temperature – You may also experience hot flashes or night sweats. These extreme body temperatures indicate that your body is going through a transition. It’s nothing to worry about, and most episodes occur on an average of 30 seconds to 10 minutes. However, it may be uncomfortable, so it’s good to be aware that this is a side effect of the changes happening in your body.
- Sleeping issues – Because of the fluctuations of your hormone levels, as well as the occasional hot flashes and night sweats, you may have trouble sleeping. Estrogen plays a significant role in regulating your body, so a decrease in its production will affect your bodily processes, including sleep. Others even develop insomnia due to the discomfort that this transition period brings.
- Mood swings – The hormonal imbalance can lead to physical and psychological discomfort, which triggers mood swings. Common feelings that may be amplified during this time are panic, anxiety, and anger. Learning a self-calming skill is crucial at this point.
- Cognitive problems – Some women have also complained about short-term memory issues and finding it difficult to concentrate. This symptom, however, is most likely caused by stress rather than hormonal fluctuations.
- Hair fall – You may notice thinning on the front, sides, and top of your head, as well as hair falling out in large clumps. It may be worrying and can significantly lower your self-confidence. Nonetheless, you should accept it as a natural part of growing old. On a positive note, it may be high time to rock a short haircut to minimize the weight on your head.
2. Estrogen And Progesterone Levels
Estrogen is commonly associated with women. However, men also produce this hormone, just not as much. It’s responsible for girls’ sexual development. Moreover, it’s in charge of regulating the growth of uterine lining every menstrual cycle, as well as when you become pregnant.
This hormone is involved in bone and cholesterol metabolism. It’s also responsible for controlling bodily processes, such as food consumption, body weight, and insulin sensitivity.
Progesterone, on the other hand, is another female sex hormone. Its primary function is to prepare your uterus for pregnancy. When you ovulate each month, this hormone facilitates the thickening of your uterine lining to make way for the fertilized egg.
Without the latter, progesterone levels would drop. The lining, which is a blood-enriched layer of tissue, would dissolve and leave your body. If there’s a fertilized egg, however, progesterone helps maintain the lining all throughout your pregnancy to protect the baby in your womb.
Both hormones are mainly produced in the ovaries. However, your adrenal glands also release small amounts of 0estrogen.
The decreased production of these hormones plays a role in your menopause. Being aware of your current estrogen and progesterone levels can help you prepare physically and mentally for the transition that your body would go through.
3. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the top health conditions that affect the modern woman. While it may seem morbid to think about this illness, you should be pragmatic and accept the possibility of developing malignant tumors in your chest area.
Visiting your obstetrician regularly can help you spot the potential risks in your body through screenings and laboratory tests. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. You shouldn’t wait until you’re feeling pain or discomfort from the lumps in your breasts before you see your doctor.
Of course, there are things that you should do aside from consulting with a physician to minimize the risk of getting breast cancer. It all involves practicing a healthy lifestyle, like:
- Lowering your alcohol intake – Consuming alcohol isn’t necessarily bad as long as it’s in moderate amounts, unless you have a history of experiencing adverse reactions even with the tiniest sip. Drinking too much liquor can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Staying away from cigarettes – According to the American Cancer Society, women who smoke and continue to do so even after being diagnosed with breast cancer have a shorter survival rate than those who don’t. The former group is also more likely to acquire and die from respiratory diseases.
- Being mindful of what you eat – Eating the right types of foods is crucial to have a healthy body. Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli, as well as fruits, like berries and peaches, are filled with antioxidants that can fight free radicals in your body.
- Exercising regularly – A healthy lifestyle isn’t complete without regular physical movement. Getting your body moving and sweating does more than just strengthen your muscles. It can help make sure that the different internal systems are in their most optimal to perform their duties well.
- Breastfeeding your baby – Breastfeeding is also believed to lower the risk of acquiring breast cancer. This natural process allows your body to shed breast tissue and eliminate cells that may have had DNA damage.
- Limiting hormone therapy – Some women go through hormone therapy to alleviate their menopausal symptoms or other conditions. However, an extended duration of this process can increase the risk of getting breast cancer. You can find non-hormonal alternatives for menopause. If you decide to pursue hormone therapy, opt for the lowest possible dose.
- Avoiding radiation and pollution – You can be vulnerable to radiation from medical imaging methods, like computerized tomography. Cumulative exposure throughout your lifetime has been linked to breast cancer. Environmental pollutants, like smog, increase the number of free radicals in your body, which heightens the risk of succumbing to terminal illnesses.
4. Vaginal Dryness
One of the symptoms of menopause that can significantly affect your sex life is vaginal dryness. The hormonal imbalance has an impact on the production of natural lubricants when you’re aroused. The decrease of estrogen results in the thinning of your vaginal tissues, which makes it easily irritated.
Fortunately, you can talk to your obstetrician about several non-invasive and non-hormonal solutions to vaginal dryness. They may suggest that you and your partner use water-based lubricants, which you can easily buy over-the-counter at pharmacies, during sexy time.
Vaginal moisturizers are also available in the market. You apply these products every few days to hydrate the vaginal tissues.
A crucial thing to remember for your daily hygiene is to avoid using perfumed cleansers since these can irritate or dry the skin outside your vagina. Stick to non-soap or mild soaps to wash the external genital area. Moreover, you don’t need to wash the inside of the vagina because it can clean itself.
5. Inflammation
More and more studies have shown that inflammation is the root indicator of all diseases. It’s your body’s way of telling you about an irritant. It plays a role in cancer, autoimmune illnesses, and even mental health issues.
However, inflammation is not always bad. For instance, it can also be a sign that your body is working to heal a physical wound.
It’s only when the inflammation occurs in an unhealthy way that you should be worried, which may only be spotted by those with the knowledge and experience in this field. That is why you must consult with your obstetrician at every stage in your life.
Conclusion
An obstetrician is a girl’s best friend, even in midlife. They can help you be aware and make sense of the changes that are happening with your body, especially with menopause. They can also spot potential risks for breast and cervical cancer through regular check-ups. This way, you can prevent the tumor from causing severe damage.