Latest news with #TazBhatia
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Reveal 22 Weird Symptoms Women Over 40 Experience—and What They Mean
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As you get older, your body changes. And you might start to experience unexpected symptoms. Sure, thinning hair and hot flashes are par for the course during your menopause years. But what if you suddenly have trouble sleeping or start feeling cold all the time? How do you know if what you're experiencing is no big deal—or worth mentioning to your doctor, stat? Sometimes, these symptoms are just signs of getting older. Aging offers all kinds of upsides, but it sneaks in some pesky surprises as well. Other times, they may signal a more serious health condition and warrant additional testing to understand what's going on. Here, experts share 22 weird health symptoms women over 40 often experience. They also decode exactly what those symptoms mean, so you know what next steps to take if you relate to anything on the Gain After 40, your metabolism tends to slow down about 5% every decade. This makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain weight—meaning you have to be more intentional about diet and exercise. 'As your metabolism changes, your portion size and activity level play a much more significant factor in weight maintenance and weight loss,' explains Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN. 'The decrease in estrogen during menopause causes changes in metabolism, hormone maintenance, and heart health.'Exhaustion Feeling tired is nothing new. But as you age, you may get worn out faster. This is often due to hormonal changes from menopause, but since it's associated with a range of other health conditions, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. In the meantime, do what you can to get enough sleep. Taz Bhatia, M.D., a board-certified integrative medicine physician and women's health expert, recommends 7 hours a night at least 5 nights a week. 'Consistent sleep is a key factor in rejuvenating and replenishing the body,' she Pain Aches and pains happen, especially as you age. But if you experience pain in your chest, neck, jaw, upper stomach, or back—especially with fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath—talk to your doctor. These could be signs of cardiovascular disease. 'This is the most common cause of death in American women,' says Kecia Gaither, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and women's health expert. She recommends getting routine cardiovascular exams to catch the condition Sex Drive Many women in their 40s experience a low sex drive. And everything from hormonal changes to vaginal dryness could be the cause. Often, the solution is as simple as using an estrogen cream. But be sure to mention the symptom to your doctor, especially if it's impacting your quality of Breasts When you turn 40, it's time to start getting routine mammograms. But be on the lookout for common breast cancer symptoms between annual exams. 'Breast and cervical cancer are the two most common cancers affecting women,' Dr. Gaither says. While it's often normal to have swollen breasts before your period, breast swelling, pain, dimpling, or discharge can also be signs of breast The older you get, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure, or hypertension. The condition often presents without any symptoms. But in some cases, you may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. Be sure to flag any of these symptoms to your doctor, in addition to getting your blood pressure checked at your annual Sleeping Struggling with insomnia? You're not alone. One study found that 20% of women aged 40-59 had trouble sleeping at least four nights a week. The culprit was thought to be menopause, because night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings can all affect your sleep Cramps Bloating, gas, and stomach cramps can occur for a variety of reasons. But if they start getting more common in your 40s, it's probably because of—you guessed it—hormones. If you often experience digestive issues or stomach cramps when you're on your period, you may experience the same thing during menopause. But since abdominal cramps are linked with many other health conditions, it's worth mentioning the symptom to your Constantly If you constantly find yourself chugging water and running to the bathroom, you may want to mention it to a doctor. Increased thirst and urination can be signs of diabetes, especially if you're experiencing fatigue and weakness too. As you age, your risk of developing type II diabetes increases, and being overweight makes the condition more likely, says Dr. Hair Hair loss is mainly hereditary for both men and women, but hormones can play a role as well. Menopause often causes your estrogen levels to drop, making your hair thin, fall out, or take on a new texture. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned. They may be able to recommend a supplement or some other kind of Periods Although it sounds counterintuitive, heavy periods are actually a sign of menopause. Your fluctuating hormones can throw off your menstrual schedule, causing some of your periods to be heavier and last longer than Cold All the Time If you're sweating less and struggling to stay warm, bring it up with your doctor—these could be signs of thyroid dysfunction. 'Thyroid dysfunction is the most common hormonal imbalance in women,' Dr. Shepherd explains. Other symptoms include dry skin, thinning hair, fatigue, and weight Swings Women often deal with mood swings from puberty. But as menopause creeps up, the hormonal changes—and emotions that accompany them—can feel unbearable. Dr. Bhatia says learning how to manage stress is essential to maintaining your quality of life. 'Stress drives cortisol, which drives disease,' she says. 'Managing stress … is a skill that everyone needs to learn and practice to stay healthy.'Vaginal Dryness Caused by low levels of estrogen, vaginal dryness is incredibly common during middle age. If the dryness is bothering you, talk to your doctor. They can help you avoid products that cause irritation, and they may even recommend a prescription estrogen or Depression If you're feeling worried, upset, or unlike yourself, mention it to your doctor. Your symptoms may be the result of hormonal changes during menopause, or they could signal a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression. Other conditions, like Alzheimer's, can also cause you to feel anxious or depressed, Dr. Gaither Bones Women tend to lose bone density over time, which can lead to osteoporosis—a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. This makes your bones fragile and easy to break. And since osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms, a fracture or break may be the first sign you have Fog If you're struggling to concentrate and generally feeling out of it, you may have menopause to thank. But because brain fog is associated with a range of health conditions, it's worth mentioning your brain fog to your doctor—especially if it's Seeing or Hearing As you get older, you may not see or hear as well as you used to. That doesn't necessarily mean anything dire, but it's still worth mentioning to your doctor. Getting your sight and hearing checked annually is a great way to adapt to your changing needs and set yourself up for Between Periods Spotting between periods isn't unusual during menopause. But it can also be a sign of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include pelvic pain, discomfort during sex, and unusual discharge. Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Bhatia, and Dr. Gaither all recommend getting routine pap smears. And be sure to mention anything unusual to your Flashes Suddenly feeling your skin flush, your palms get sweaty, and your face turn red is never fun. But hot flashes are a very normal part of menopause. About 75% of women experience them. And in some cases, they can cause your heart to race or make you feel dizzy. If your hot flashes last more than a few minutes or you consistently feel overheated, talk to your doctor—trouble cooling down can be a symptom of thyroid or Constipation While the occasional bout of diarrhea or constipation is probably nothing to worry about, experiencing either for more than a few days can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Since routine colonoscopies aren't usually recommended until you turn 50, it's worth mentioning concerning GI symptoms to your doctor any time you experience Sick All the Time If you feel like you're getting sick more than usual, you may not be imagining it. Our immune systems tend to grow weaker as we age, making us more likely to catch common colds and other infections. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Reveal 14 Life-Saving Health Screenings You Need If You're Over 40
Aging brings with it a range of changes—some pesky, some refreshing, and all exciting in their own way. And turning 40, in particular, marks a major milestone: It's time to start getting regular mammograms. Experts say 40 is also the perfect time to ask about other life-saving health screenings, as the risk for heart disease, hypertension, skin cancer, and more increases as you age. And catching these conditions early is key to preventing serious outcomes. 'Women must always remain proactive about their health at every age,' says Taz Bhatia, M.D., a board-certified integrative medicine physician and women's health expert. Here are the 14 health screenings experts recommend for women over 40. Consider asking your doctor about them at your next annual exam.'Starting at age 40, routine mammograms are a must,' says Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN. Catching abnormalities early can save your life. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may want to ask your doctor about starting mammograms even earlier—before you've hit the big (high blood pressure) often has no obvious symptoms. Since the condition can creep up on you without you even realizing it, Dr. Bhatia recommends blood pressure evaluations to all her patients in their 40s. 'It's important to stay on top of [it],' she explains.'[Heart disease] is the most common cause of death in American women,' says Kecia Gaither, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and women's health expert. And your risk gets higher as you age. Because of this, Dr. Gaither strongly recommends that women in their 40s get cardiovascular Shepherd, Dr. Bhatia, and Dr. Gaither all agree that routine pap smears are important—especially as you hit middle age. Pap smears screen for cervical cancer, and just like any cancer, early detection is key. 'Cervical cancer can affect any woman who is or has been sexually active,' Dr. Gaither says. 'But it primarily occurs in women who have had HPV, are immune-compromised, have poor nutrition, and don't get pap smears.'As we age, our vision and hearing often gets worse. That doesn't necessarily mean you'll go blind or deaf. But getting your sight and hearing checked annually can help you discover if you need glasses or a hearing consistent colonoscopies are recommended for women over 50, your 40s are a good time to talk to your doctor about the routine health screening—especially if you have a family history of colon cancer or women age, they tend to lose bone density and strength, which can lead to osteoporosis. Because of this, Felicia Stoler, R.D.N., a nutritionist and healthy living expert, recommends getting a bone density screening every 10 years starting at age 40. This is especially important if you show risk factors for osteoporosis or frequently fracture your immunizations are always important. But since our immune systems can weaken as we age, getting routine vaccinations—like the flu shot—is especially essential as you get everyone will benefit from a diabetes screening. But if you're nearing middle age and you live with obesity, you're at higher risk of developing diabetes. 'Obesity is a predisposing factor to diabetes development,' Dr. Gaither says. Your doctor can screen you for the condition and help you treat or prevent it, depending on your and menopause are full of hormonal ups and downs. And while common symptoms—like hair loss, insomnia, low sex drive, and brain fog—are often caused by the condition, they may also signal something more serious. Checking your hormone levels routinely can give your doctor more insight into what you're experiencing.A complete lipid panel—or a cholesterol test—is important in assessing your risk for heart disease, which increases as you age. It's usually part of a routine annual exam. But if your doctor doesn't mention it, you can ask to have one your moles checked by a dermatologist is a good idea at any age. But as you enter your 40s, your risk for skin cancer increases, simply because you've gotten decades of cumulative sun exposure. Remember, an estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. And when caught early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.As women age, they're more likely to develop mental health conditions than men. 'Anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's, and cognitive decline are most common,' Dr. Gaither says. There are many reasons this may happen, including fluctuating hormone levels. But getting screened for mental health conditions—especially if you don't feel like yourself—can help you get the support and treatment you need.'Thyroid dysfunction is the most common hormonal imbalance in women,' Dr. Shepherd says. That's why she recommends getting screened routinely. Thyroid dysfunction can cause weight gain, exhaustion, brain fog, and more. And when left untreated, it can lead to serious—and potentially life-threatening—health problems. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
