When women come to see me in the clinic, they sometimes don’t know what to ask or how to bring up concerns about their health. I like to break down the discussion into four categories.

• How is my cardiometabolic health?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, so all women should be proactive about preventing cardiovascular disease. Have your cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked, and talk to your doctor about how your lifestyle could impact your cardiometabolic health. Feel free to bring up any diet, exercise, and weight management goals, and you and your doctor can develop a safe and effective plan.

It’s never too early to start thinking about your cardiometabolic health. Women in their 20s should ask their doctor about it as well as women in their 50s and 60s. As women go through menopause, their risks for cardiovascular disease rise. They produce less estrogen and lose its protective effects on the heart.

• What type of cancer screenings should I get?

Most all women should be screened for breast, colon, and cervical cancers. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recently released new recommendations for breast cancer screenings. The USPSTF recommends all women get screened for breast cancer every other year, starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. Previously, the recommendation had been for women to start screening at age 50. Talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened for breast cancer, depending on your risk factors.

If a woman is or has been a smoker, it’s a good idea to get a CT scan for lung cancer starting at age 50. There are other screenings women may consider based on their family history of cancer, so be sure to tell your doctor about any family members who have had cancer.

• How is my mental health?

Find a healthcare provider who truly gets to know you and offers a comfortable space to talk about your mental health. Women are often so busy taking care of others that we forget to stop and take care of ourselves.

I have seen more women in my clinic using unhealthy coping strategies for anxiety and depression ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. We may offer a client the services of a health coach to help address changes in lifestyle behaviors. We also may refer a client to a mental health specialist partner when needed.

• Am I taking good care of my sexual health?

If a woman is of reproductive age, I encourage her to be open to discussing her sexual health. It’s important to discuss any irregularities or pain you may be experiencing during menstrual periods or sex, your reproductive goals, and the possibility for sexually transmitted infections.

As women transition through perimenopause and menopause, we can discuss the changes in health and possible symptoms. Women should feel comfortable talking to their primary care clinician about this life transition. We have safe and effective treatment options approved by the Food and Drug Administration that may be able to help with hot flashes, disruptions in sleep, pain with sex, and other symptoms.

My goal in every appointment is to create an environment for women to feel empowered about their health. By taking a proactive approach, we can work together to create health goals and a care plan to help you meet them.