Every Woman Has the Right to Be Healthy

The good news is that with a better understanding of health problems, regular check-ups, and early detection, many risks may be prevented to maintain women's health at all stages of life.

Here are common health conditions that women often experience in their 20s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, along with tips for aging healthily.

Your 20s

Many health issues in your twenties are asymptomatic and difficult to diagnose without a medical examination. Early treatment and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk or even prevent many diseases.

1. Health screening: If you have a family history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), or cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, get regular checkups for early detection.
   
   Read: Can Young Adults Have Strokes?
   
   
2. Reproductive health: If you are sexually active, consider getting the HPV vaccine and a pap smear to help prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening is essential in your early 20s.
   
   
3. Keep track of your mental wellness. Mental illness can develop in your 20s and 30s, especially with stressful events, such as the transition to adulthood or parenthood. Fatigue, distractibility, excessive worry, and difficulty sleeping are treatable symptoms of underlying problems.
   
   
4. Get enough calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are essential for strengthening bones and preventing osteoporosis. You may get enough calcium through yogurt, cheese, dark green leafy vegetables, and lentils.
   
   Vitamin D is more challenging to absorb through food and sunlight alone, so a vitamin D supplement is sometimes needed.

Age 40s

As you enter your 40s, your risk for chronic illnesses increases, especially those related to weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Start getting screened. Cancer screenings often begin at 40 or 45, depending on family history and other diseases.

As you approach menopause, you should notice changes in your menstrual cycle.

Conditions to watch out for

1. Breast cancer

• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Indonesia.
• Breast self-examination (BSE) and early detection are critical, especially for those with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, like exercising and quitting smoking, can lower your risk.

Read: Is That Lump Something to Worry About?

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• GERD is when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest.
• If left untreated, this illness can have a negative impact on one's quality of life.
• Lifestyle changes such as reducing spicy foods, foods that are too acidic, coffee, and alcohol, and not lying down immediately after eating can reduce GERD complaints.

3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

• UTI commonly affects women, causing symptoms like frequent urination, pain when urinating, and cloudy urine.
• It is essential to drink enough water every day and avoid the habit of holding urine to avoid UTIs.

4. Uterine fibroids (myomas)

• Fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause discomfort or irregular menstrual cycles.
• About 30% of women have fibroids, but only one in every four have symptoms.

Your 50s and 60s

As you age, your health becomes a top priority. Making healthier lifestyle changes can improve your quality of life in retirement and the future.

Conditions to watch out for

1. Colorectal cancer

• This cancer develops in the colon or rectum and often starts as a polyp.
• A screening colonoscopy is recommended every 5 years starting at age 50 to detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous.

2. Heart disease

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet the symptoms are not always easy to recognize.
• Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and arm weakness. In women, symptoms may also include nausea and vomiting.

3. Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that often causes pain and limited mobility.
• This condition is a leading cause of falls in the elderly.

Read: Why Is Osteoporosis More Prevalent in Women?

4. Uterine prolapse

• Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus descends into the vaginal canal due to weakening of the pelvic muscles.
• Nearly 50% of women aged 50–79 years experience some form of pelvic organ prolapse.

You also need to check the health of your eyes and ears, which decline with age.

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Maintaining women's health at every stage is critical to achieving a better quality of life. With regular check-ups, awareness of signs of disease, and an adaptable lifestyle, women can age healthily and enjoy a longer, better quality of life.

For a comprehensive health check-up, visit the GWS Medika clinic, a trusted health clinic in Jakarta.

The GWS Medika clinic provides medical check-ups for both individuals and corporations. Don't wait until you're sick! Get a health check-up for yourself and your loved ones.