You might be feeling more vibrant and healthy than ever before, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with any health issues at all. Common health problems that women face in their golden years include heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer, all of which affect women differently from men. However, if you know what signs to look for and how to get help when you need it, these can all be managed, so they don’t get the best of you.
If you’re an elderly woman or care for an older woman, here are some common senior women health issues that you should be aware of and prepared to deal with.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of any part of your urinary system, including your bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. The incidence of UTIs in women increases with age due to hormonal changes that affect how well they can fight off bacteria in their bladders. Sometimes it can be hard for them to know if they have a UTI because many people don’t feel like there’s much cause for alarm when they feel burning when urinating or when they feel like their bladder is always full, even after only one trip to the bathroom. However, you should consult your doctor if you experience either symptom more than once within 24 hours; you might have a UTI.
Fibroids
The word fibroids come from fibrous tissue, which is common in women who have them. The medical name for fibroids is leiomyomas. They are made up of muscle cells. Fibroids often cause symptoms similar to those of endometriosis or PMS, including painful or heavy periods and cramping during your period, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, feeling bloated, and needing to urinate more frequently than usual.
Depression
While men are more likely to commit suicide, women are more likely to experience significant depression. After age 65, women are twice as likely as men to have an episode of major depression. And if they suffer from heart disease or diabetes, they’re at an even higher risk.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infections are a problem for many women, regardless of age. According to estimates, three out of four women will experience at least one yeast infection during their lifetime. However, while young women typically deal with yeast infections during or shortly after their periods, older women tend to get them all year round. The reason: As women age, the immune systems aren’t as strong and can be susceptible to whatever is going around communities or offices.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weaker and more likely to break. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimates that over 10 million people over age 50 are affected by osteoporosis, with 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men expected to develop an osteoporotic fracture at some point during their lifetime. No doubt about it, osteoporosis is a health issue many women face—and even your best efforts may not be enough to prevent it from happening.
