10/06/2023
October is Women's Health Month! As a woman-owned and operated company, we especially know and support the focus on prevention through lifestyle factors promoting vitality and longevity.
Strata Integrated Wellness and Spa does it all with their women-led, whole-woman focused lifestyle membership, offering services such as conscious conception, aging gracefully, and metabolic lifestyle highlights.
PeakMed LifeCenters also supports prevention through their patient-centered direct-primary care services, designed with you as the focus and your wellness as the priority.
Get BOTH, AND HealthYou Health Coaching with the C3 Captive Insurance plan. Message us for more details.
Here is your women's health month checklist to help you navigate every decade, reduce your risk of disease and boost your health throughout all stages of life.
All Ages:
When it comes to your overall health, there are a few preventative actions you can take at any age. One of the best things you can do is develop a relationship with your primary care provider and stay on top of your annual visits. Primary care providers can keep you on track with preventative screenings and potentially catch serious issues early on before they cause any complications. Beyond visiting your primary care provider, there are general habits that are important regardless of what age you are.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Quality sleep
- Mitigate stress levels
In your 20s:
You might feel invincible in your 20s. It's an exciting, fresh time in your early adulthood. But it's also a perfect time to lay a foundation for a healthful life. Here are important screenings to consider in your 20s.
- Cervical cancer screenings
- Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine)
In your 30s:
Some subtle 'side effects' of aging may be creeping in and you may not feel as infallible as you did in your 20s. Fortunately, while your 30s can come with a lot of changes, you can count on your health checkpoints to be virtually the same as your 20s. The list is generally the same as the last decade. You should continue STI screenings, as well as pap smears to screen for cervical cancer.
- Diabetes screening: Your provider may recommend checking your fasting blood sugar level depending on your risk factors for diabetes or heart disease.
- Pregnancy and Fertility: Fertility starts to decline in your 30s through menopause, so if you interested in family planning, it can be helpful to talk to your provider.
In your 40s
Between your 30s and 40s, you might find yourself juggling more responsibility. It can be hard to find time for yourself. Prioritizing your health becomes increasing important during your 40s, especially as your body undergoes some big changes.
- Menopause: The end of your menstrual cycle and natural reproductive years. The transition period before this stage of life can bring a host of unwanted symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches, and mood swings. Your primary care provider can work with you to navigate through this transition and provide support along the way.
- Breast cancer screening: This is normally recommended at age 50, but your provider will help you decide if earlier or more screening would be a better option for you.
- Colon cancer screening: When you reach 45, you should talk to your provider about starting this screening. Your provider will work with you to determine a screening schedule that's right for you.
In your 50s and beyond
While hitting that middle age milestone may be scary, your future is still bright. You've experienced a lot in your life and there's more to come. Use this time to renew your focus and take charge of your health for years to come.
- Cancer screenings: Screenings continue to become increasingly important during this stage of your life, as the risk of various cancers increases with age. If you haven't had a mammogram yet, now is the time to start.
- Heart health: Your provider will review your labs and health habits to ensure your risk factors for cardiovascular disease are being continuously monitored and mitigated.
- Bone health: Women face a greater risk of osteoporosis and this risk increases with menopause. Your provide may recommend an annual chest scan.