Women’s bodies are miraculous and complicated, and our needs, concerns, lifestyles, and risks change as we age. These changes are often referred to as life stages, based on the reproductive cycle, beginning with menstruation and continuing through menopause. 

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In addition to reviewing lifestyle habits and mental well-being, below are a few of the most common life stage topics for 55-65 year olds to be aware of and discuss with your provider. 

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• Cancer Screenings
• Menopause
• Bone Health
• Sexual Health (STD/STI Testing)

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This is intended to be a guide. Not all topics apply to everyone.

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Cancer Screenings

As you age, it becomes increasingly important to follow the recommended cancer screening guidelines. For women 55-65 years of age, it is recommended that you screen regularly for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Other gynecological cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial, don’t have routine screening methods, but below we have noted symptoms for you to be aware of.

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Cervical Cancer Screening 

Cervical cancer screenings are critical for anyone 25-65 years of age who has an intact cervix (has not had a full hysterectomy). Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus). The Primary HPV test looks for high-risk HPV (hrHPV), which can cause changes to the cervix if it persists over several years. 

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Your current and past results will determine your screening schedule. According to the self-collection guidelines from the American Cancer Society:

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• If you have a history of normal results, it is recommended that you screen yourself (self-collect) with a primary HPV test every 3 years. 
• If you have a history of abnormal results in the past 2 years, in most cases, we will recommend that you screen again in 1 year to keep an eye on the infection (which can be dormant), and you can connect with a Teal provider to discuss further.
• If your results are abnormal, you should connect with a Teal medical provider to discuss whether additional tests or procedures are needed. Follow-up care is critical to ensuring HPV infections do not progress. 

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The above screening timelines are in accordance with the American Cancer Society for a self-collected Primary HPV test (including at-home screening). For detailed screening guidelines for at-home vs in-person, please see our Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines.

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Breast Cancer Screening

To stay current on your breast cancer screening, you should be getting an annual or biannual mammogram (every 1-2 years), which is an X-ray of the breast tissue. Depending on your history of results and breast density, you may also be getting breast ultrasounds and/or breast MRIs. 

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Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screening continues through age 75. Generally, this is done through stool tests and/or a colonoscopy: 

• Stool tests (FIT or Cologuard): An at-home stool test is designed to detect blood or altered DNA in the stool. Stool tests are recommended every 1-3 years.

• Colonoscopy: A procedure where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the rectum and colon to check for polyps or signs of cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years for those who have normal results.

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Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer 

There are no routine screening tests for ovarian or endometrial cancer, as no test has yet been shown to reliably find early-stage disease.  

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Early-stage ovarian cancer does not usually cause symptoms, and later-stage ovarian cancer more often causes nonspecific symptoms. These could include bloating, the feeling of fullness, urinary frequency/urgency, or weight loss. If you notice new and persistent symptoms, it is important to discuss them with your provider. For those known to be at high risk of ovarian cancer, providers may recommend doing regular pelvic ultrasounds and cancer antigen (CA 125) blood tests to look for abnormalities.

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Endometrial cancer typically causes abnormal uterine bleeding because it starts in the lining of the uterus. Evaluation for endometrial cancer could include a pelvic ultrasound to look for a thick lining and/or an endometrial biopsy to evaluate the uterine lining tissue.  

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Menopause

For women 55-65 years of age, most have officially reached menopause, defined by having gone 12 consecutive months without a period. The average age for menopause is 51. We can think of this less like an ongoing stage of life, and more like a gate we’ll eventually pass through. That said, there are health impacts on the other side, as a result of your ovaries no longer producing as much estrogen. Post-menopause, women may see changes to bone and heart health, body shape, and other signs associated with aging. 

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Within the context of your annual well-woman visit, you can talk to your provider about treatment options: 

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is most often a combination of estrogen and progesterone. HRT is FDA approved for treating hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, and preventing osteoporosis. We also know replacing these hormones can help a variety of additional symptoms, including sleep disturbances, joint pains, mood changes, and brain fog. HRT comes in a variety of forms from pills, patches, gels, sprays, a vaginal ring and even IUDs, each with different risks and benefits. A discussion with your provider to review your symptoms, along with your medical and family history, will help determine if you are a good candidate for HRT.
• If you are experiencing disruptive hot flashes and night sweats and are unable to take HRT, there are prescription non-hormonal therapies, like SSRIs, fezolinetant, and gabapentin, to relieve the temperature changes and improve sleep and overall quality of life.

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Exercise routines should also change to address the needs of your changing body. This should include aerobics, strength training, and balance workouts. This will help to reduce weight gain, stress, and increase bone density and muscle. Explore classes in person or online that combine high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and use resistance bands and/or weights to help lose fat and build lean muscle. Classes like tai chi and yoga can also keep your core strengthened, reduce stress, and help with balance, which is important to maintain daily activities and avoid the risk of falling.

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Focusing on a healthy diet with these lifestyle changes can also help slow aging and support whole-body wellness. For example, women post menopause should be eating a diet with adequate protein and fiber. Protein will help your body recover from exercise and build muscle, which is very important because we tend to lose muscle more quickly in menopause. Generally, the more physically active you are, the more protein you may need. Calculate your protein intake recommendations here. Fiber supports our gut health, helps prevent constipation, can reduce cholesterol, and improves blood sugar control. Try to get around 25g of fiber each day. Examples of fiber-rich foods include fruits like apples and raspberries, green veggies, lentils, beans, and whole grains.

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Bone Health

Your bone health becomes increasingly important as you age. As referenced in the Menopause section above, post-menopausal women experience a drop in their estrogen levels, which causes bone density to decrease. Menopause is the most common cause of osteoporosis. 

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At age 65, it is recommended that you get a DEXA scan. A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures bone density (strength). DEXA scan results can provide helpful details about your risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures (bone breaks).

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Sexual Health (STD/STI Testing)

It is important to discuss your sexual health with your provider to ensure you are not at risk for sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs/STIs). This is a space where you can ask questions without embarrassment to get the care and recommendations that will best protect your health. 

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For those who are sexually active and at an increased risk, such as having new or multiple partners, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends yearly STD/STI tests. This is most commonly a blood or urine test.

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For more information on testing and treatment, see our article on Sexually Transmitted Infections.