For women in their 40s, health is a different ball game altogether. During this decade of life majority of the women are set in their routine life and each of them has their definition of health.
Like the 20s and 30s we read about in the previous blog, the 40s have their priorities too. Children take most of the time and attention along with the household chores and professional life but as in those decades, women in their 40s also need to pay utmost attention to their health.
Among the other things, this phase sets up a woman for the changes in her body that are going to occur during menopause, the time when hormones create havoc in the body, and hence women need to be prepared for the same.
In this blog, let us understand further the health challenges for women in their 40s and some tips to overcome them.
Common Health Problems
40 to 65 years is the midlife age for women during which they typically experience multiple social, psychological, and biological transitions. Due to the physical as well as physiological changes happening in a woman’s body above 40 years of age, these are certain peculiar health issues that may crop up in them. Let us sess the common ones
Menopause
Menopause is a naturally occurring phenomenon during which the monthly menstrual cycle stops. Generally, the age of menopausal transition in Indian women is the late 40s and early 50s. The early 40s mark the perimenopausal stage. These phases affect different women differently. Some of you may hardly notice any symptoms while others may experience weight gain, hot flashes, fatigue, lethargy, lower sex drive, etc. to varying degrees. The hormonal variations that occur make women susceptible to other diseases and conditions.
Sexual Health
As a woman in her 40s approaches her menopause the vaginal canal becomes drier. This may make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or painful. Women may experience different feelings regarding having intercourse from feeling free of finally having sex without the risk of pregnancy to avoiding it due to the discomfort. It is important that you seek expert advice from your gynecologist regarding these issues. As the vaginal pH changes, urinary tract infections are also common at this age.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Various micronutrient deficiencies like iron, riboflavin, vitamin B, and vitamin D deficiencies are common among women in their 40s. Calcium is another mineral whose intake should be particularly paid attention to during this period. It may become essential for you to start consuming supplementation tablets to keep these deficiencies at bay. Your physician would be the best person to consult regarding the same.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
Bone loss is a part of aging in women, especially during menopause. This condition is aggravated due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency. The connective tissue between the joints wears away leading to painful and aching joints. The symptoms may start commonly in the joints of the spine, hips, knees, etc. Here is a detailed guide on osteoporosis for your reference.
Breast Cancer
The risk of developing breast cancer increases in this decade especially if a woman has not yet given birth (1,2). Other factors that contribute to the development include diet, overall health, environmental conditions, etc. Regular breast examination by your gynecologist and by yourself plays a vital role in detecting and curing the condition at an earlier stage.
Heart Diseases
Women’s heart disease risk jumps to almost 40 percent by the time they reach the age of 50. Ensure that you are seeing your doctor regularly. They will monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you’re a smoker, quit now, and be sure that you are limiting your alcohol consumption.
Skin Issues
Aging signs especially on the skin are more visible during this age. The fine lines and wrinkles around the corners of the eye, the wrinkled brow, etc become more prominent. Your skin may feel dull and dry. Do not give in to the temptations of concealing these visible reminders of age rather accept them gracefully, they are your true signs of years of experience and wisdom!
Health Care Tips for Women in their 40s
The most important thing to remember if you are a woman in your 40s or are approaching your 40s is your health habits. Even though many of you may have your routine set do not let your health take a backseat due to any other priorities. Any positive change today will make a huge difference in your future health. So review this list and see if there is still room for improvement
- Eat a healthy and all-rounded diet that will fulfill your both macronutrient as well as micronutrient requirements.
- Drink plenty of water every day. Consciously remember to complete your daily water requirement which is a minimum of 3 liters daily for women (3).
- Maintain a healthy weight. aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity of your choice daily.
- Sleep is very important for your body to recover from physical as well as mental stress. Make it a point to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours at night.
- Do not smoke, or look for quitting if you have already begun, and also limit your alcohol intake.
- Protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunscreen whenever you step out. Invest in good quality cosmetics but keep their usage to a minimum.
- Maintain your oral hygiene. Visit your dentist once a year for a routine check-up and cleaning.
- Protect your mental well-being. Take time out for regular wellness. Seek a therapist’s opinion if you are suffering from mental health concerns like depression or anxiety.
Prevention is the Key
Focus on preventive health check-ups. This will help you maintain your health in the years to come. Visit your general physician once a year and talk to them about the tests and health screenings you may require. These may include the following
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C vaccination.
- Bone density testing.
- Testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Pap test and pelvic examination.
- Breast cancer screening, including mammograms and clinical breast exams.
- Tuberculosis testing.
- Thyroid checkup.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol test.
- Diabetes screening.
- Eye examination.
- Dental examination.
- Vaccinations as per requirements.
No matter what age, as a woman you need to take care of your health yourself because no one will do that for you. Depending on others for your health is a strategy for doom and obviously, we do not want that. As your life is your own so is your health. Your health is your capital, treasure it!
Author: Dr Pooja Nilgar (Content writer and editor)
References
- Fioretti, F., Tavani, A., Bosetti, C., La Vecchia, C., Negri, E., Barbone, F., Talamini, R. and Franceschi, S., 1999. Risk factors for breast cancer in nulliparous women. British journal of cancer, 79(11), pp.1923-1928.
- Schonfeld, S.J., Pfeiffer, R.M., Lacey Jr, J.V., Berrington de González, A., Doody, M.M., Greenlee, R.T., Park, Y., Schairer, C., Schatzkin, A., Sigurdson, A.J. and Hartge, P., 2011. Hormone-related risk factors and postmenopausal breast cancer among nulliparous versus parous women: an aggregated study. American journal of epidemiology, 173(5), pp.509-517.
- Sawka, M.N., Cheuvront, S.N. and Carter, R., 2005. Human water needs. Nutrition reviews, 63(suppl_1), pp.S30-S39.
