Women's health in later years

Health in older women

As you get older, you are more likely to develop health problems. The following information can help you keep healthy and watch out for signs of illness.

What can I do to stay healthy for longer?

Try eating more fruits, vegetables and non-fatty meats. Try to exercise five times each week for at least 30 minutes. This will help you stay a healthy weight and reduce the risk of serious health conditions.

Stop smoking and drink minimal alcohol. These are harmful to your health and increase your chance of health problems including cancer.

Some countries will have screening programs (special checks) for health problems like breast cancer, cervical cancer and high blood pressure. It is important to attend screening to find any problems early.

Vaccines can protect against illnesses that spread between people, like flu.

What are the signs that might mean I have a serious problem?

Sudden chest pain

Sudden-onset chest pain or heaviness, or one-sided pain in your neck, jaw or arm (this may worsen with activity and improve with rest), could mean you are having a heart attack. If this happens you should see your closest healthcare worker. If you feel chest pain or heaviness, get medical help straight away.

Weakness

If you develop weakness on one side of your body, like your face, one arm or leg or your speech changes this could be a stroke and needs urgent medical help.

Weight loss

Weight loss can be a sign of cancer. There are other things to look out for too.

Breathing difficulty

Feeling short of breath can mean you have a problem with your chest (lungs) or heart. If you have a cough or wheezing (a high pitched sound when breathing) these can be signs of a chest infection or COPD. COPD mostly affects smokers or people who work with dust or chemicals. Stopping smoking is the best way to help.

Cancer

Cancer can affect different parts of a woman’s body:

• Cancer of the womb lining (endometrium) can cause bleeding after menopause.
• Cancer of the neck of the womb (cervical) can cause bleeding after sex or unusual bleeding.
• Breast cancer often starts as a lump. Check your breasts each month for changes in the shape, skin, or nipples including leaking fluid. Also check under your arms.
• Cancer of the lung can cause difficulty in breathing, cough or coughing up blood.
• Bowel cancer can cause blood in your poo or changes in how often you poo.
• Ovary (where eggs are made to make babies) cancer is hard to find early. Signs include bloating, tummy pain, feeling full quickly, or changes in bowel habits.

If you notice changes, see a doctor. Screening can help find cancer early.

Bones and muscles

Aches and pains are common as you get older, especially in your back, neck, knees and hips. This can be from injury or years of hard physical work. It is important to stay active. Losing weight can help if you are overweight. Painkillers may help. If pain stops you from sleeping or doing daily tasks, see a healthcare worker.

Osteoporosis is when bones become weak or thin. Many women do not know they have it until they break a bone. It often affects the back, hips or arms. A good diet, regular exercise like walking and strength exercises, and time in the sun for vitamin D can help keep bones strong. Balance exercises can also help prevent falls and broken bones.

Mental health

Older women may have low mood or anxiety (feeling worried) more often than men. Causes include the menopause, being physically unwell, side effects from medicine or losing someone close. Feeling sad or worried from time to time is normal, but if your mood affects your daily life, it is important to talk to a healthcare worker.

Brain and mind health

Dementia is a group of illnesses that affect the way your brain works. Early signs include forgetting things often, getting confused or struggling with everyday tasks.

Staying active, enjoying hobbies and spending time with others may help to keep your mind active.

Prolapse and incontinence

Pelvic organ prolapse is the weakening of the muscles that support your vagina. This can cause the bladder or womb to drop into the vagina, which may cause a heavy or dragging feeling between the hips or a bulge in the vagina. Urinary incontinence is the leaking of urine without control. Both problems are common after childbirth and in older women.

Daily pelvic floor exercises (squeezing the muscles between your vagina and bottom) can help. If you are overweight, losing weight can also improve symptoms. Avoiding or reducing food and drinks that can irritate the bladder like tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, alcohol, chocolate and acidic or spicy food, may be helpful. If you are still having symptoms or if urine leaks all the time, see a healthcare worker.

Diabetes

Diabetes means the body struggles to control blood sugar. It can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and more. It is more likely if you are overweight or other people in your family have it. Signs include feeling very thirsty, passing urine often, blurry vision, tiredness and weight loss. A healthy diet and exercise can often prevent diabetes. A blood test can check for it, and doctors can give treatment.

Keeping active and healthy helps you to live a long and happy life.