Women over 50, read this: 10 health problems you should have on your radar — and what to do about them

Feel like you’re a young 50? While many older Canadians report feeling younger mentally and physically than their age, once you hit 50, certain health issues can sneak up on you — no matter how good you feel.

“As we age, our cells naturally wear down, as do the systems that repair them. It’s like your body’s maintenance crew gets a little tired and understaffed,” explains Dr. Angela Downey, family physician and host of the “Codependent Doctor” podcast. “This makes us more vulnerable to things like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers, even if we’ve lived a healthy life until this point.”

While this is the case for everyone, being a woman comes with a few extra health risks.

“After menopause, estrogen levels drop, which increases the risk of heart disease, autoimmune conditions, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence and osteoporosis,” Downey adds.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

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Knowledge is power, the old adage goes, so we’re digging into the 10 different health problems that should be on your radar if you’re a woman over 50 — plus how to stay on top of them.

10 health problems every woman over 50 should know — and what to do about them

1. Vision problems

Vision changes are a known byproduct of getting older, but lower estrogen levels after menopause can also affect your eye health and lead to a need for glasses or a stronger prescription, reduced night vision and even a higher risk of eye conditions like dry eye and macular degeneration. You can stay on top of your eye health by having regular eye exams. Even if you have no vision issues, it’s recommended you get an eye exam every two to three years if you’re under 40, and every two years if you’re over 40. Once you hit 65? Optometrists advise a yearly visit to stay on top of your ocular health. And of course, if you notice any sudden vision changes or physical changes to one or both of your eyes, head to the eye doctor as soon as possible.

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2. Hearing loss

Hearing loss is more common in men than women, but don’t let that keep you from scheduling a hearing test. Around 54 per cent of Canadians aged 40 to 79 have mild hearing loss — but it can be quite sneaky. A lot of people who suffer from it don’t even notice an issue. You may feel like your ear is a bit clogged or only have trouble hearing in noisy places. Even if the symptoms aren’t impacting your daily life, it’s important to have your hearing checked if you’re over 50 or notice a change. It’s not just age that can cause hearing loss; injuries, illness and certain medications can mess with your hearing, too.

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3. Heart disease

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, heart disease and stroke is the number one cause of premature death of women in Canada. Even more concerning? A whopping 89 per cent of women don’t know their unique risk factors, many of which increase with age and/or menopause, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and depression. Making heart-healthy lifestyle changes and seeing your doctor or pharmacist for regular blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar monitoring can help you keep your ticker healthy.

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4. Osteoporosis

Bone loss accelerates after menopause, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, and one in three women break a bone due to the condition, according to Osteoporosis Canada. Your sex and age aren’t the only risk factors; family history, certain medications and your diet also play a role. Engaging in regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D and not smoking can help you reduce your risk. If you’ve ever fractured a bone, have a family history of osteoporosis, or are post-menopausal, ask your doctor about screening.

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5. Autoimmune diseases

When it comes to autoimmune diseases, the odds are stacked against women. Around 80 per cent autoimmune diseases are diagnosed in women — and the risk of developing one increases after menopause, according to Downey. There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and thyroid diseases. Symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain and digestive issues can overlap with other conditions, and there’s no single definitive test for all of them, making diagnosis tricky. If you notice new symptoms, see your doctor for appropriate testing.

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6. Cancer

A whopping nine in 10 cancers in Canada are diagnosed in people over the age of 50 — and aging is the most important risk factor for cancer. While this is true for males and females, there are some cancers that only or predominantly affect females, including cervical, breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Lung cancer, which once mostly affected men, is now affecting more women. Family history, age of your first period and number of pregnancies are just a few of the factors that affect a woman’s risk of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and screening.

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7. Obesity

About 65 per cent of Canadians are overweight or obese, most of them between ages 40 and 69. Slower metabolism less activity and hormonal shifts — especially during perimenopause, which causes an average weight gain of 4.5 pounds — are contributing factors. Staying active and eating well can help, but if needed, there are other tools available that may be worth discussing with your health-care provider.

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8. Vaginal dryness

Vaginal aging is a thing. As we — and our vaginas — get older, lower estrogen levels cause our once moist and flexible vaginal tissues to the become drier, thinner and less stretchy. Whether you’re having sex or not, treating vaginal dryness is important because if left untreated, it can lead to symptoms like irritation and microtears, which can in turn increase your risk of infections. Vaginal dryness can be managed with over-the-counter treatments like vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. If those don’t work, your health-care provider can prescribe topical estrogen, which is available in Canada in cream or tablet form.

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9. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Female anatomy — and having the urethra and anus in such close quarters — is to blame for females experiencing far more UTIs than men because it makes getting bacteria from one opening to the other a lot easier. After menopause, the risk increases due to skin irritation and tears from vaginal dryness and a decrease in good vaginal bacteria, which lets the less helpful bacteria grow. UTIs can lead to infections higher in the urinary tract, such as the bladder or kidneys, which can have serious complications. Treating vaginal dryness (see above) can help reduce the risk of UTIs. If you suspect you have a UTI, a doctor or pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics to treat it.

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10. Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone, but it’s most common in women over 50. That said, don’t pass it off as a regular part of aging, as it can have several causes, some of which are treatable. Along with lower estrogen levels which can affect vaginal and urethral tissues, pelvic floor damage from giving birth, UTIs and certain medical conditions and medications are a few potential causes. If you’re suddenly leaking urine, even if just a little, don’t hesitate to reach out to your health-care provider.

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