Do I need to see a gynecologist after menopause?

Faught recommends that postmenopausal women see their gynecologist once a year, especially if they don't have a primary care physician. She also advises that seeing a gynecologist after menopause can help with routine care, such as thyroid exams, cholesterol and blood pressure checks, and preventive care, as needed.

At what age should a woman stop seeing a gynecologist?

Typically, women ages 66 and older no longer need a routine Pap exam each year, as long as their previous three tests have come back clear. The benefits of a yearly gynecologist visit can extend far beyond a pap smear, though.

Do I need to go to gynecologist after menopause?

After menopause, women still need gynecological care, doctors say. Annual exams, either by a gynecologist or a family doctor, are key to avoiding and treating many health problems common in older women.

At what age can you stop having pelvic exams?

Women over age 65 can stop getting screened if they've had at least three consecutive negative Pap tests or at least two negative HPV tests within the previous 10 years, according to the guidelines. But women who have a history of a more advanced precancer diagnosis should continue to be screened for at least 20 years.

What does a gynecologist do for menopause?

Hormone Therapy for Menopause. (See also Hormone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women.) Hormone therapy (estrogen, a progestogen, or both) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms ( 1. Manifestations may include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption, and genitourinary... read more ).

Facing 50 and Menopause: The Tests You Need to Take After the Transition

How often should you have pelvic exams after menopause?

While you might decide against an annual pelvic exam, you should still have a Pap smear on a regular basis, even if you are postmenopausal. According to current guidelines, Pap smears are recommended every three years — or a combination of a Pap smear and HPV test every five years — up until age 65.

Do you need Pap smear after menopause?

Do I Still Need a Pap Smear Now That I Am Menopausal? Even if you are menopausal or postmenopausal, you should continue to have Pap or HPV tests.

Should a 70 year old woman go to a gynecologist?

Also, if a woman is sexually active past the age of 65, she should still have a pelvic exam at least once every three years. In short, there are many factors that will determine the doctor's approach to a senior citizen's gynecology visit. However, one thing is certain: women do need to continue visits to their OB-GYN.

Should you still see a gynecologist after hysterectomy?

Yes, you should continue to see your ob-gyn after you have a hysterectomy. Depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, you still may need pelvic exams and cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening includes Pap tests, testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), or both.

How often should a 60 year old woman see a gynecologist?

Most women should visit the gynecologist once a year for a routine exam. However, some women may even visit every three years after a demonstrated history of normal lab results and low risk factors. Some problems, like irregular pap smears, may warrant more frequent check-ups. Your Last Trip to the Gyn.

What are the signs of coming to the end of menopause?

What doctor do you see for menopause issues?

“When a period stops, women feel OK and they don't need a doctor to diagnose menopause.” But women may struggle with symptoms because they interfere with their daily lives. That's when they should consult a gynecologist.

Is it necessary to go to the gynecologist every year?

The age that one can stop regularly seeing a gynecologist varies from woman to woman, but generally healthy women over the age of 66 do not need to visit a gynecologist every year or every other year.

Are annual pelvic exams necessary?

When do you need a pelvic exam? You need it for that Pap every three to five years. You need it if you have symptoms of abnormal bleeding, pain, vaginal discharge, vulvar problems, pelvic discomfort, and infertility. You need it if you have problems down there.

Is Pap smear needed after total hysterectomy?

Similarly, if you had a partial hysterectomy or a total hysterectomy — when both the uterus and cervix are removed — for a cancerous or precancerous condition, regular Pap tests may still be recommended as an early detection tool to monitor for a new cancer or precancerous change.

Do you still get Pap smears after hysterectomy?

You can stop having Pap tests, however, if you had a total hysterectomy for a noncancerous condition. Your age matters, too.

What fills the space after a hysterectomy?

The bottom line

After any type of hysterectomy, your small and large intestines will fill most of the space your uterus previously occupied.

Why do gynecologists push on your stomach?

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.

What blood tests should a 60 year old woman get?

Does the cervix change after menopause?

Menopausal changes to the cervix pose a particular challenge to the colposcopist. As menopause progresses, the cervical os contracts making it smaller and tighter. This means that when you examine the cervix using your colposcope, you typically cannot view the endocervix and the squamocolumnar junction.

How often should a 57 year old woman have a Pap smear?

After the first test: Women ages 30 through 65 should be screened with either a Pap test every 3 years or the HPV test every 5 years. If you or your sexual partner has other new partners, you should have a Pap test every 3 years.

Can the menopause cause abnormal cervical cells?

Jessie: Yes! After menopause a woman's estrogen levels decrease to very low levels. The vaginal tissues are affected by estrogen. Thinning of the tissues can make the cells appear abnormal on a Pap.

Is there an alternative to a pelvic exam?

As medical technology advances, the need for pelvic exams is falling away. For example, 3D ultrasound is a less invasive tool for diagnosing pelvic pain than bimanual exams. Ultrasound is also superior in diagnostic capability and costs less than other imaging modalities such as MRI.

What is vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms.