International Women’s Day: Navigating Women’s Health at All Ages and Life Stages

Teens: Changes come quickly during this exciting stage of life. Remain current with immunizations and see a doctor regularly.

• Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or primary care doctor to learn more about adolescence, healthy behaviors and relationships, physical and emotional changes.
• Choose one of Hoag’s expert gynecologists for annual exams.
• Engage in healthy eating, adequate sleep, appropriate screen time and remain physically active.
• Ask your doctor how to do a breast self-exam.
• Get screened for sexually transmitted infections.

The 20s: Lay the foundation for a long, health life today. Your Hoag primary care physician and gynecologists are your wellness partners.

• Schedule annual well-woman visits and physical exams.
• Ask your doctor about contraception options, fertility and sexual health.
• Start or continue monthly breast self-exams.
• Check your skin regularly for changes.
• Learn about your family history and seek guidance about genetic counseling if you have concerns or questions.
• Seek professional help for unusual stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations and health screenings.

Your 30s: During this busy phase, manage stress related to the demands of work and family life including sleep hygiene, meditation and mindfulness into your daily practice.

• Continue your well-woman visits and annual physical exams.
• Ask your doctor about contraceptive options, fertility and sexual health.
• Get help for stress, depression, “baby blues” and other mental health conditions.
• Ask your doctor about maintaining bone strength and preventing bone loss.
• Continue monthly breast self-exams.
• Check your skin for changes.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations and screenings.

It’s the 40s: Shed unhealthy habits and take charge of your wellness. This is a critical phase of life for preventative health. Remember to book your cancer screenings, vaccines and other screenings.

• Schedule a mammogram.
• Get help for stress, depression and other mental health conditions.
• Discuss perimenopause and menopause symptoms and therapies with your doctor.
• Recommendations to help reduce the risk and live a happier, healthier life.
• Elevate the standard of care for those who have tested positive for a genetic mutation.
• Check your skin for changes.
• Screening colonoscopy is recommended beginning at age 45 to minimize risk of colon cancer.

50s & 60s: Getting serious about health care screenings. Maintaining your health and quality of life means keeping up with screenings, vaccines and annual exams.

• Discuss menopause symptoms and therapies with your doctor.
• Ask your doctor about bone density screenings.
• Maintain your mammogram and annual screenings.
• Talk to your doctor about mood changes or memory loss.
• Reach out to a Hoag urogynecologist or pelvic floor physical therapist if you have concerns about pelvic floor health (pain, prolapse, incontinence).

70 and sensational: More people are living longer, healthier lives today than ever before. Hoag can help you maintain a high quality of life so you can enjoy your active lifestyle.

• Talk with your doctor about any new symptoms, medications or medication side effects.
• Remain socially and physically active.
• Follow doctors’ recommendations for screenings, medications and treatments.
• Know the results of your lipid blood panel.

Learn more about Hoag’s Women’s Health Institute at hoag.org/womens.

For a complete list of providers, please visit Find a Doctor | Hoag.
For a complete list of OB/GYN providers please visit Find a Doctor | Hoag.