Women’s Health Tips for Decades

Each decade of life welcomes new health milestones. And health tips can help guide you along the way. Take care of yourself for health actions at each stage of life. Find your decade and then keep your story strong by taking good care of your health.

Age 20s: Lay the foundation now for a healthier life later.

• Protect your hearing. Turn down the volume and shield yourself from loud noises to prevent hearing loss.
• Build bone mass. Get enough calcium and weight-bearing exercise to develop peak bone mass and protect yourself as much as possible against osteoporosis later in life.
• Begin women’s health screenings. It’s time for Pap tests and sexually transmitted disease (STD) screenings. Talk with your doctor if you experience irregular menstrual cycles.
• Guard against injuries. Wearing protective gear for sports and warm-up exercises prevent injuries that can cause problems now and in the future.
• Pay attention to what you eat. Forming a habit now of healthy eating has lifelong benefits.

Age 30s: Pay attention to minor changes.

• Watch your weight. A slowdown in metabolism can lead to weight gain, and a few pounds a year add up quickly.
• Protect your skin. Wearing sunscreen with at least 15 SPF while outdoors protects from skin damage, including cancer. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps, too.
• Reduce stress. Stress takes a toll on your body in the present and future.
• Get regular medical checkups and screenings. Good preventative care may provide early warning of health issues.
• Consider pregnancy risks. Pregnancy-related health problems increase after age 35. An OB specialist may be helpful.

Age 40s: Get ready for transitions.

• Look out for perimenopause. As estrogen levels decrease, you may have hot flashes, trouble sleeping, irritability and decreased sex drive. Stay current with an annual pap test and pelvic exam.
• Book a mammogram. The American Cancer Society recommends mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer.
• Check in with your diet. Are you continuing to eat healthy and smaller portions to adjust for slowing metabolism?
• Have an eye checkup. Eyesight declines as we age, and many people begin wearing glasses in their 40s.
• Schedule a colonoscopy beginning at age 45 unless you have a family history; sooner is better.
• Pay attention to blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes may appear, and many people aren’t aware of having the disease. Ask your doctor.

Age 50s: Take care of yourself.

• Prepare for menopause. The average age of menopause for U.S. women is 51.
• Stay active. Physical and mental activity can make you feel better.
• Get a physical exam. At least every two years, a checkup establishes baselines so your doctor can watch for important changes. Expect a blood test and lipid screening.
• Ask your doctor about an electrocardiogram (EKG). Cardiovascular disease accounts for as many as one of every three deaths in the U.S.

Age 60s: Step up your game.

• Get enough vitamins. Your body may require essential vitamins such as D and B supplements.
• Add fiber and water to your diet. The additions can help protect against colon polyps, a common condition for those over 60.
• Keep moving. Moderate exercise for 150 minutes a week may lower your chance of developing coronary artery disease by 15 percent.
• Get recommended cancer screenings, such as an annual mammogram. Your chances of getting cancer increase with age.
• Stay vaccinated. Flu, shingles and pneumonia vaccines may be helpful as you’re more vulnerable to catching these illnesses.

Age 70s: Embrace the aging process.

• Remove skin tags. You’re more likely to notice skin tags, which a doctor can remove through freezing or cauterizing.
• Defy cognitive decline. Exercise, intellectual stimulation and social interaction can help keep you sharp.
• Refuse to live with pain. Joint replacement surgery may be necessary and is quite common, with relatively quick recovery times.
• Check your eyes. Cataract surgery is common for people in age 70s and may improve vision.

Stay healthy and remember to have some fun – whatever your decade!