Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle that marks the end of her reproductive years. Though it is a major life transition, it seldom receives the amount of attention it deserves. Like any other transition a person undergoes, menopause can bring about a range of unexpected physical, emotional, and mental changes that, in some cases, may last for years.
Why health screenings are important during this time.
Screenings can help in understanding what this new phase of life means for a woman. They can help in monitoring the changes that are occurring and can provide a window of opportunity to manage the menopause transition better.
Understanding Menopause
The time when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months is defined as menopause. This transition is characterized by a decrease in the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These changes lead to a variety of symptoms that affect many women. The symptoms include:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- mood swings
- changes in sexual function
Additionally, menopause can heighten the risk of certain health conditions, making regular health screenings even more essential.
The Importance of Regular Health Screenings
- Early Detection of Health Issues
One of the chief advantages of consistent health examinations is the preliminary identification of possible health complications. Women may have an augmented susceptibility to conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, or specific malignancies during the menopausal transition. Consistent health screenings can catch these problems in their infancy when they are not only more manageable but also more amenable to treatment.
For example, tests that measure the density of bones can pick up signs of osteoporosis before the condition results in a fracture, making it possible to take preventive measures. Likewise, early detection of breast and cervical cancer can be achieved with procedures such as mammograms and Pap smears, and this can make a great deal of difference in terms of how successful treatment is. - Monitoring Hormonal Changes
Menopause, with its accompanying significant hormonal fluctuations, can lead to a variety of health problems. Regu lar health screenings can help men monitor the he alter of their hormones and the impact of those changes on their overall health. For women, blood tests can be used to assess hormone levels and monitor health between the time of natural menopause or when HRT is first initiated. When natural menopause occurs, hormone levels are low, but health problems linked to the premenopausal condition and symptoms may cause concern. - Managing Chronic Conditions
Numerous women who experience menopause simultaneously have chronic conditions ringing from undiagnosed to fairly under control. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders tend to impact a significant portion of the population. Most of us have basal comprehensions about these conditions at best—but that hardly qualifies us to commence a serious critique (or live a serious life worth living) if we can’t control the basal intricacies of our working and family lives while these scary basal conditions serve menacingly as undercurrents. Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and thyroid function can help ensure that these conditions exist in a state of non-threat. Effectively managing these conditions can help a woman avoid the basal undercurrents of living with chronic conditions while living in the midst of a seriously life-affecting transition. - Mental Health Assessment
Menopause can profoundly affect a woman’s mental health, but regular screenings often—hopefully—can catch this shift in the woman’s health. It’s mostly uncharted territory for many doctors, so mood disorders often get missed. Mental health concerns in middle-aged women often get brushed aside as something to expect in the perimenopausal phase. But the truth is that some women are struggling with real mental health issues that are not being—as it seems—adequately addressed. - Lifestyle and Preventive Health Guidance
Routine health screenings are a chance for women to converse with their healthcare providers about high-impact lifestyle choices they make during midlife.
“You can take all sorts of steps to have a better menopause experience, and some of them are within your control, like nutrition and exercise,” says Dr. Teplitsky. “Managing stress is huge. If you can do those three things better, you’re not only having a better experience in this transition, but you’re also setting yourself up for better long-term health, because what’s good for you in that regard is also good for your heart and your bones. Heater advises women to take full advantage of their next healthcare appointment, especially if it comes with a chance to get screened.
Recommended Health Screenings During Menopause
- Bone Density Test
When menopause reduces the amount of estrogen, the risk of osteoporosis grows. The condition weakens bones and makes them breakable.
A bone density test measures bone mineral density, which assesses the likelihood of fractures. Women are advised to get their first test at age 65. Those with osteoporosis risk factors should be tested earlier.
- Mammogram
The risk of breast cancer goes up as women get older, which is why it’s so vital to catch this disease in its early stages—when it’s most treatable. Most experts recommend that women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. If there’s a strong history of breast cancer in your family or if you’re known to have other risk factors, then it might make sense to start even earlier than that. - Pap Smear and HPV Testing
It’s critical for postmenopausal women to have regular cervical cancer screenings. The Pap test—often combined with HPV testing—carries out the essential function of detecting abnormal cervical cells that could lead to cancer. The ACOG’s recommended routine is for women to start having Pap tests at around 21 and to continue them every three years for a span of almost the next decade. After that, between 30 and 65, women can either resume the every-five-year rhythm with the Pap/HPV duo or keep up the every-three-year rhythm with the Pap test alone. - Blood Pressure Screening
Menopause can lead to a number of serious health problems, one of which can be hypertension. Hypertensive conditions during menopause can be serious, as they can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health issues. Regular blood pressure checks are key to making sure that you’re not developing high blood pressure during this transition. You should have your blood pressure checked at least every two years, and if you tend to run in the hypertensive range, more often than that. - Cholesterol Screening
Cholesterol levels can be affected by menopause, potentially raising the risk of heart disease. All women should have their cholesterol checked at a minimum of once every four years, starting at age 20. If they’re at risk for heart disease, they should have it checked more often. This is their heart; they should know what’s going on with it. - Blood Sugar Testing
Women who have a family history of diabetes or who are obese should have their blood sugar tested on a regular basis to determine their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetes screening be done starting at age 45, or earlier if there are other risk factors. - Thyroid Function Tests
During menopause, women can become affected by thyroid disorders. If you experience signs such as fatigue, weight fluctuations, or mood changes, you might consider asking your healthcare provider about getting tested for thyroid function. Regular screening can help catch any disorders early and lay the groundwork for treatment.
Conclusion
It is essential for women to have regular health screenings while they are in the stage of life known as menopause for two reasons—first, because the kinds of health issues that many women detect during this time can have long-term ramifications, and second, because such issues, when caught early or monitored continuously, are far more manageable and resolvable. The more difficult conditions of life and health that some women face during “the change” can often seem overwhelming. However, with the help of current medical knowledge, the methods of study and research that are now at hand, and the insight that comes from the health industry as a whole, women can frequently be assured that they can have a much earlier diagnosis of any potential condition and a far healthier way of life after the cessation of regular monthly cycles.