Skipping screenings
Fewer than half of 40- to 74-year-olds have taken up the NHS’s free five-yearly check-up to spot early signs of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and dementia, while nearly 30 per cent of women aged 50 to 70 are still not taking up routine breast screening invitations. Yet these important tests could save your life. Find out which screenings you’re entitled to on the NHS website and make the time to go.
Ignoring heart health
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the UK and risks rise as you age. Being overweight and not doing regular exercise increase your risk. Yet 37 per cent of women aged between 45 and 54 are obese, and four in 10 middle-aged adults fail to manage a brisk 10-minute walk a month.
Barbara Kobson, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, says: ‘Before the menopause, women have a lower risk of being affected by heart and circulatory diseases because oestrogen helps to control cholesterol levels. However, during and after the menopause, women produce less oestrogen, which can put them more at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
‘The good news is that it’s never too late to improve lifestyle choices and reduce your risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, coupled with a healthy diet, regular exercise and quitting smoking can make a big difference.’
Putting up with menopausal misery
All too often women presume they just have to put up with menopausal symptoms. However, pelvic floor problems, night sweats, vaginal dryness and hot flushes can all be effectively treated. HRT, oestrogen creams and pelvic floor exercises can stop symptoms interfering with day-to-day life.
Pelvic health physiotherapist Myra Robson says: ‘Despite 50 per cent of women over 50 suffering from pelvic organ prolapse and one in three women suffering with urinary incontinence, too many women are still too embarrassed to consult their doctor. Women need to know that they don’t have to suffer in silence with symptoms which are treatable.’
Neglecting bone health
Think you just need calcium for healthy bones? Think again! Oestrogen also helps to keep our bones healthy. But as levels drop after the menopause, women can lose up to 20 per cent of their bone density. This can lead to osteoporosis, back pain and bad posture. To combat this, women in their 50s need to do more weight-bearing exercises, such as hiking, playing tennis and dancing, or resistance exercises such as lifting weights.
Not applying enough sunscreen
According to a recent study, 67 per cent of people in the UK aren’t wearing enough sunscreen, and less than 41 per cent of women aged 55 to 64 regularly use sunscreen on their face and other exposed skin.
Professor Brian Diffey of the British Association of Dermatologists says: ‘Studies have found that most people apply less than half of the amount of sunscreen required to provide the level of protection indicated on the packaging. The BAD recommends a sunscreen with a minimum SPF30 and a UVA rating of four stars or higher. Areas such as the back and sides of the neck, scalp and ears are commonly missed, so apply sunscreen generously and reapply regularly.’
Not adjusting our diet
As we age, most of us continue to eat the way we always have. But when we reach 50, our metabolism slows, making it harder to burn calories.
Registered dietician Harriet Smith says: ‘It’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet, especially during the menopause and thereafter. Try to eat three to four calcium-rich foods daily, including green, leafy veg to reduce your risk of osteoporosis. Foods such as oily fish, eggs and tofu can be good for preserving muscle mass, while plant foods such as soy, linseed and pulses may help reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and depression.’
Ignoring sexual health
If you’re dating again in your 50s, your sexual health is important. Recent studies suggest that the number of adults over 50 being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases is rising. Yet despite this, 80 per cent have never had an STI test, and 65 per cent of those with more than one sexual partner never use condoms.
Always use protection with new partners, and if you do develop symptoms, don’t be embarrassed to visit your GP.