Dr. Alex Te-Loo from Mount Sheridan Medical Practice discusses important health checks for women in their 40s.
My name is Doctor Alex Te-Loo, and I am a GP at Mount Sheridan Medical Practice. Today we’re going to be speaking to you about what is involved in a health check for a woman in her 40s.
We always like to discuss something called SNAP. Which regards smoking, nutrition, alcohol intake, and physical activity. Ideally, you shouldn’t be smoking at all. Your nutrition should include a mix of vegetables and fruit daily. Your alcohol should not exceed two standards drinks daily, ideally with a break once a week. And your physical activity should include at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. We try to review SNAP at every health check, and as regularly as possible.
With the recent changes in the national pap smear guidelines, you will now be getting a cervical screening test from the ages of 25. STI screening is also recommended, and it is worth noting that most contraceptives won’t protect you from STIs. Contraception is a very important part of a women’s health check. There are many different options, and this should be discussed further with your GP.
If you are considering starting a family, it is worth discussing pregnancy planning with your GP. We usually like to discuss things like lifestyle factors, starting pregnancy multivitamins, checking your bloods, and discussing possible vaccinations that might be needed.
Women are able to start regular breast screens from the age of 40. This is done with Breast Screen Queensland every two years. It is also important to do regular self examinations. This process can be discussed further with your GP.
Routine blood testing will usually begin for women when they’re in their 40s. This includes testing things like cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels. Depending on the individual patient and their history, additional tests may be considered.
Menopausal issues often begin for women when they’re in their 40s. These can include symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, and trouble sleeping. The symptoms can be extremely varied, and quite complex. It is definitely worth discussing ongoing management with your GP.
In your 40s you may be eligible for government funded health checks. These include assessing your risks for developing a chronic disease and developing type 2 diabetes.
Living in tropical Australia it is very important that you use sun protection, and consider having yearly skin checks.
It’s important to remember that the health checks we have just discussed are general outlines and not specific to individual patients. Your GP may discuss further recommendations that may be necessary for you. If you have any family history of note or any other particular concerns, this can be discussed with your GP when you are reviewed.
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