The health journey for a woman shifts every decade, impacting her approach to preventing, screening, and managing different aspects of her lifestyle. In Episode 2 of our podcast, “What an anesthesiologist does and why we care about what technology you use at home,” Dr. Brandi stressed why it’s important for her, as a provider, to understand a patient’s health history. Having this information helps healthcare professionals make the best recommendations for their patients’ current conditions.
What is the best way for women to keep track of their health histories – and make sure they’re taking the right proactive measures to protect their health?
Before the invention of digital health tools, uncovering a patient’s health history was largely dependent on their memory or notes. Patient portals are making it easier to maintain continuous records, and femtech products are empowering women to play a bigger role in documenting their health experiences and lifestyle factors. And to ensure you’re making the most of your doctor’s visits, we love the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) annual guide for preventive screenings.
We’ve highlighted a few of the common health screenings, lifestyle factors, and tools that women can use to stay on top of their health at any age.
The 20’s – Understanding Your Baseline
- Start using a health history tracking app like GenieMD or MyChart, to document your health experiences, test results, and procedures. Consider using a period tracking app, too, even if you are years away from having children. The fertility journey begins before you start trying to conceive – the earlier you start investigating your reproductive health, the better. There are dozens of mobile app options, but we love Clue due to its stringent data privacy practices.
- In addition to the standard blood work up during your annual physical, be sure to ask for screenings for the following throughout your 20’s: anxiety, depression, Pap smear, STIs and HIV, and BRCA 1/2 risk assessment.
- Establish healthy habits around sleep, exercise, diet, and stress management – these practices will pay dividends as you age.
The 30’s – Establishing a Sustainable Lifestyle
- This decade is commonly a time for building – your career, a family, and a lifestyle that you can sustain as you age. Life can start to feel very full!
- Prioritize stress management as you navigate new responsibilities and life changes. Getting adequate sleep and exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, and maintaining stable glucose levels are key to overall health.
- If starting a family is on your to do list, inform your Ob/Gyn and begin assessing your fertility as early as possible.
- During annual wellness checks, add a cholesterol screening and a colonoscopy if you’re at risk for colon cancer.
The 40’s – Undergoing a Major Hormonal Shift – Perimenopause
- Most women enter into perimenopause in their early 40’s. Irregular periods, hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, and decreased fertility are common symptoms.
- Establish good baseline health by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy.
- At age 40, begin getting an annual mammogram.
The 50’s – Managing “The Change”
- Menopause, the absence of a period for 12 months or longer, typically occurs during the early 50’s.
- The shift leads to lower estrogen levels that can lead to weight gain and increase risk for heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.
- Consider using a digital tool like the Midday app to track your symptoms and collaborate with your provider on the best management options.
The 60’s and Beyond – Maintaining Good Health
- Continue practicing good habits around exercise, diet, and sleep.
- Avoid isolation by participating in social activities and staying connected to loved ones and family.
- Get annual wellness checks and promptly follow up on any concerns or issues
In our podcast episode with Adrianna Hopkins, she mentioned that the relationship between patient and provider should be collaborative. We couldn’t agree more. By taking an active role in your health, you’ll be able to optimize your healthcare provider’s expertise and help them, help you.
