Aging is a natural part of life. However, there are certain factors for healthy aging that people who were assigned female at birth should keep in mind, including regular screenings and seeking care for the stages of menopause.

Certain aspects of aging stand out for people who were assigned female at birth compared to those who were assigned male at birth.

These may include the need for regular breast cancer screenings, Pap smears, and the need for care and advice during the stages of menopause, which are perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

These stages can affect every aspect of an individual’s life. Seeking the proper care and advice can help them cope with these changes.

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the 2020 census found that 1 in 6 people in the United States was over the age of 65, and the population is expected to increase by 42% by 2050.

According to one article, older women make up the majority of the global population. Despite this, research into aging in women, especially older women, has typically been lacking. For example, it was not until the 1990s that drug company-funded research included women, despite them being more likely to have adverse reactions to the drugs than men.

Certain conditions affect women uniquely, disproportionately, and differently. Some are related to aging, while others become riskier as individuals age.

Conditions that affect women uniquely

According to a 2024 article, certain conditions only affect women:

  • Osteoporosis: Women living through menopause have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis. This is because during menopause, estrogen decreases, reducing its protective effect on bones. Up to 20% of bone loss occurs during this time, and 1 in 10 women over 60 worldwide lives with osteoporosis.
  • Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a chronic condition that is dependent on estrogen. It affects around 10% of girls and women of reproductive age (ages 15 to 49).
  • Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer is a cancer of the female reproductive system that begins in the lower uterus. The average age of diagnosis is 50 years old, and more than 20% of cervical cancers develop in women over the age of 65.

Conditions that affect women disproportionately

Some conditions can disproportionately affect women. These include:

  • Migraine: Migraine affects about 1 in 5 women compared to 1 in 10 men worldwide, which may be due to its connection to hormones. The frequency, duration, and disabling nature of migraine incidences may also be more severe and higher in women.
  • Breast cancer: Breast cancer represents about 1 in 3 new cancers in women each year, a much higher incidence than in men.
  • Dementia: Worldwide, dementia may be more common in adults over 65, affecting about 80 out of every 1,000 women compared to 55 out of every 1,000 men.

Conditions that affect women differently

The 2024 article also highlights some conditions that can affect women differently from men. These include:

  • Heart attack: The symptoms of a heart attack may present differently in women. For example, women may be more likely to experience anxiety, shortness of breath, and unusual tiredness or weakness during a heart attack. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, heart disease is also the leading cause of death in women in the United States.
  • Stroke: Women may be more likely to experience stroke than men. The American Stroke Association indicates that around 1 in 5 women will have a stroke at some time in their life and may also experience reduced functional outcomes and lower quality of life following a stroke.
  • Alzheimer’s disease: Women may be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, around two-thirds of people in the United States who have Alzheimer’s disease are women. Women in their 60s are also twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease during their lifetime as they are breast cancer.

Regular screenings are an essential part of early diagnosis for conditions like breast cancer and cervical cancer. Early diagnosis can help make these serious conditions easier to treat.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines screenings as tests used to find a disease in people who are not experiencing symptoms. Two common screening tests for women are mammograms and Pap smears.

Breast cancer

The ACS recommends that regular breast cancer screenings begin around the age of 40 and outlines the following screening guidelines for women with an average risk of breast cancer:

  • Between ages 40 and 44: Optional to begin screening with yearly mammograms
  • Ages 45 to 54: Recommended to get mammograms every year
  • Ages 55 and older: Can choose to switch to mammograms every other year or choose to continue yearly mammograms. The ACS recommends that people continue to undergo screenings as long as they remain in good health and have a life expectancy of at least 10 more years.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women between the ages of 40 and 74 get a mammogram every 2 years.

Individuals should work with their healthcare professional to establish a regular screening schedule tailored to their individual risk.

Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer screenings help find precancerous cervical cells at a time when it is still possible to administer treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists three types of cervical cancer screenings:

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) test: Checks for infection with high risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.
  • Pap test (Pap smear): Collects cervical cells for analysis and checking for the presence of HPV, precancerous cells, and even infection or inflammation.
  • HPV/Pap cotest: Combines the HPV and the pap test to check for both high risk HPV and cervical cell changes.

The USPSTF and the ACS typically give the following recommendations for screening guidelines:

  • Ages 21 to 29: First pap test at 21 years old, followed by a pap test every 3 years after
  • Ages 30 to 65: Recommendations are for one of the following:
    • HPV test every 5 years
    • HPV/Pap test every 5 years
    • Pap test every 3 years
  • Over the age of 65: Screenings may no longer be needed. Speak to a healthcare professional for personal recommendations.

Menopause is a natural part of a female’s aging process. It is a transitional time when the body undergoes changes, periods cease, and individuals can no longer become pregnant. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause, or menopausal transition.

Not everyone experiences menopause the same way. Some people may experience severe symptoms that significantly affect every aspect of their lives, while others may have mild or no symptoms.

Speaking with a healthcare professional about the transition into menopause, the menopause period itself, and life after menopause can help people better understand it. Healthcare professionals can also offer medical advice and recommend potential treatments to ease some of the symptoms.

Perimenopause

On average, perimenopause begins sometime between the ages of 45 and 55, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). However, it is possible to enter this stage earlier.

Symptoms may include:

  • irregular or lighter periods
  • hot flashes, night sweats, and difficulty sleeping
  • mood changes and irritability
  • vaginal dryness, which may cause uncomfortable or painful sex
  • lower interest in sex

Perimenopause can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years. On average, it lasts about 4 years.

Menopause

Menopause is the time when a person’s period stops completely. The Office on Women’s Health (OASH) states that people have reached menopause when they have not had a period, or bleeding of any kind, including spotting, for 12 months.

According to the NIA, individuals may continue to experience symptoms and may experience additional ones as well:

  • loss of bladder control
  • body changes like a larger waist, a loss of muscle, and an increase in fat
  • thinner and drier skin
  • stiff, weak, and achy joints and muscles
  • memory issues or difficulty focusing

The average age for menopause in the United States is 52 years. However, it more typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 58.

Treatment options for menopause may include hormone therapy, antidepressants, and supplements. Individuals can discuss the best options with their healthcare professional based on their specific circumstances.

»Learn more: Menopause facts.

Postmenopause

After menopause, individuals may notice that many of their symptoms begin to lessen. However, OASH indicates that it is common for people to experience some symptoms, such as hot flashes, for between 9 and 14 years after menopause. Vaginal dryness may also be more common after menopause.

Lower hormone levels that occur following menopause may also increase a person’s risk of certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke. Speak with a healthcare professional for treatment options and ways to lower risks.

»Learn more: Postmenopause.

There are other ways people can help themselves to age in a healthy way:

Aging can affect women differently from men in various ways, including the stages of menopause.

Getting regular screenings for breast and cervical cancer can help individuals age healthily. They can also speak to a healthcare professional about treating menopause symptoms and lowering their risks for conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke.