Your 50s are Fantastic
You’re at the top of your game professionally, and you’re celebrating many meaningful milestones with your family and in your personal life. If you have kids, they’re likely more independent now, leaving you more time to focus on yourself again. Atlantic Health System Women’s Health is here to help you make your health a priority in your 50s.
Find a Doctor
If you have not already, there’s still time to form a real relationship with a primary care physician in addition to your gynecologist. This partnership is critical to your health in this decade and the ones to come.
Let's Talk About Prevention
- Get an annual wellness exam. In addition to regular screenings, talk to your doctor about managing the symptoms of menopause.
- Review your vaccinations and keep them up to date, including the shingles vaccine. Learn more about vaccinations >
- Get your first colonoscopy. Those with normal risk only need to repeat every 10 years. Learn about our colon cancer screening center >
- Get a mammogram annually, or every three to five years, depending on your risk factors. Talk to your doctor about any changes you may notice during menopause. Learn more about mammograms and breast imaging >
- Go to the dermatologist for a mole and freckle check. Find a dermatologist now >
- Have an open conversation with your doctor about weight, nutrition and lifestyle.
You may also want to ask your doctor about screenings and vaccinations appropriate for adult women of any age. These include:
- Hearing test
- Vision test
- Cholesterol screening
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Varicella vaccine (chicken pox)
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine
- Tdap booster vaccine (tetanus)
- Bone mineral density (osteoporosis)
- Diabetes screening
Get Moving, Stretch Out, and Get Some Sleep
Perhaps you have a little more time for yourself this decade. We have the following thoughts on how to spend it:
- Take a daily low-dose aspirin to reduce your risk of stroke and colon cancer.
- Eat leafy greens and dairy, and exercise several times a week to prevent bone density loss. Learn about our nutrition services >
Learn about bone density screenings > - Start weight/resistance training to maintain muscle mass.
- Consider yoga, meditation or mindfulness activities – and speak to someone if you are feeling sad. Learn about Atlantic Behavioral Health’s services >
- Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Learn about our sleep centers >
These recommendations are intended as a guide for women in their 50s who are of general good health to discuss with their physician.
We're here to help you navigate all your decades. Call 1-800-247-9580 for a referral to a physician to discuss these recommendations.