Midlife – Health in Your 40s
By this time you are often settled into your career and life. Your 40s, however, can be stressful as you become sandwiched between career choices, caring for aging parents, and/or raising a family.
The pressures involved can lead to stress-related disorders such as depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Prepare & Prevent
It’s important to get enough rest, to exercise, and to eat a well-balanced diet to maintain your health and prepare for menopause.
Good health choices now are vital to keep you looking and feeling great and to prevent the onset of many chronic diseases.
Your 40s are also a good time to revamp your fitness routine to include muscle and strength-building exercises. This will counteract the effect of bone loss.
You should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to help you regulate cholesterol, control weight, strengthen bones, lower cancer risk, reduce depression, and ease the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
Rite of Passage: Manage Menopause
Symptoms of menopause may occur as early as the late 30s or early 40s and last for a few months to five years or more. When menopause begins, bone loss also increases dramatically, making your need for calcium increase.
The ability to get enough sleep is another important health issue for women during this decade. Menopause can cause sleepless nights, night sweats, and palpitations. Make sleeping easier by avoiding caffeine and exercise late in the day.
Maintain Regular Health Tests & Screenings
The number of health tests and screenings you need to keep track of in your 40s may seem overwhelming, but they are an important regimen to establish.
Breast cancer is still relatively rare, affecting about one in every 68 women. But because treatment is most successful when the disease is caught early, you should start mammograms now.
You should also check for diabetes. And, as long as you are sexually active, you should continue with regular Pap smears and pelvic exams.
A doctor should also check your skin for unusual, changing or new moles, and any unusual marks or bumps.
Prioritize taking care of yourself and enjoy the success and confidence that comes in your 40s.
Services for Women in Their 40s
Women's Health Myths & More
Top 10 Women's Health Myths
Is cranberry juice good for UTIs? Do bras cause breast cancer? From preventing cancer to caring for your heart, it's important to learn what health information is accurate so you can stay healthy.
Ovulation: When Is the Best Time to Get Pregnant?
Most women have been ovulating since middle school—but how many of us can actually explain what's going on? Most of us know ovulation happens somewhere mid-cycle and is linked to our peak fertility, but many women don't learn more specifics until they're considering pregnancy.
Find a Health Care Provider Near You
Get Regular Checkups
One of the best things you can do for yourself is see a health care provider regularly. Get routine checkups and screenings like:
- Pap smears,
- sexual health screenings,
- mammograms (if recommended—usually age 40+),
- bone density screenings, and
- more.
At U of U Health we have many highly trained physicians, midwives, and APRNs that can give you the care you need. With 12 locations, you can find a health center convenient to you.
See a Provider Virtually
Concerned about getting care during the pandemic? Schedule a virtual visit with one of our specialists.
