The female aging process is full of changes. Navigating the effects of aging—and aging well—involves knowing more about just what constitutes healthy, normal aging versus signs of aging that could warrant talking to a doctor.
What Body Changes Do Women Experience in Midlife and Beyond?
Hormone Changes
Hormone levels fluctuate throughout life, with many marked changes for women occurring in middle age and later in life.
Many age-related changes women may notice include the onset of perimenopause and menopause, signaling a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. These changes can lead to vaginal dryness, a drop in libido, hot flashes, urinary incontinence, and a greater risk of UTIs (urinary tract infections).
While these changes can bring discomfort, they don’t have to mean living that way permanently. Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) along with vitamin D and vitamin E supplements are all worth exploring with a healthcare provider to offer relief during this time, helping the body produce estrogen and combatting unpleasant symptoms.
Hormonal Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Unexplained weight changes
- Night sweats or hot flashes that severely disrupt sleep
- Changes in heart rate
- Severe muscle weakness
- Sudden, intense headaches
- Feeling discomfort or dissatisfaction with intimacy
Ways to Address Hormone Changes:
- Hormone therapy
- Learning specific hot flash triggers
- Getting enough sleep
- Hormone testing
Physical Changes
Physical changes are common throughout life, but they may become more pronounced in middle and later stages of adulthood. Common physical changes in older women include:
- Bone density decline, increasing risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures
- Loss of muscle strength and mass, impacting mobility and balance
- Changes in body shape, such as a redistribution of body fat or weight gain, which can lead to issues like high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Changes in skin health, such as more pronounced wrinkles and thinner, drier skin
- Changes in nail and hair health, with nails becoming more brittle and hair becoming grayer/whiter and thinner
Many physical changes women experience during their senior years are due to declining levels of hormones like estrogen. Osteoporosis, for example, occurs in part due to declining estrogen levels; estrogen is necessary for strong bone health since it helps absorb calcium and form new bones.
While declining hormone levels are normal, it’s possible to mitigate their unpleasant side effects with proper diet, regular physical activity, and doctor-approved supplements.
Physical Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Balance difficulties
- Shortness of breath
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Vaginal or urinary prolapse
- Unusual bumps or growths
Ways to Address Physical Changes:
- Enjoying a healthy diet full of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
- Regular physical activity with an emphasis on strength training and balance exercises
- Taking the right supplements (e.g., calcium and magnesium) to combat bone loss
Digestive System Changes
The digestive system slows down as women age. This slow-down can lead to issues like indigestion, constipation, and an increased risk of kidney diseases. Regularly taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can exacerbate these digestive system changes and their resulting problems.
There are fortunately many ways to address these changes under doctor supervision, including increasing fiber intake, avoiding unnecessary NSAID use, and drinking plenty of fluids, along with preventive care measures like colonoscopies.
Digestive Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Rectal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Constant nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea that last more than 2 days
- Constipation that lasts more than 2 weeks
Ways to Address Digestive Changes:
- Staying hydrated
- Eating plenty of fiber
- Avoiding NSAIDs
Cardiovascular System Changes
Heart health also changes with age. Blood vessels lose elasticity with age, which can impact blood flow and overall cardiovascular function. Older adults are also much more likely to experience the negative impacts of high cholesterol and other heart-related issues, as decades of lifestyle habits and uncontrollable risk factors compound. Together, these changes can lead to a greater odds of heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
The good news is that many factors affecting heart health are controllable, including diet, exercise, and taking cholesterol-lowering medications like statins.
Cardiovascular System Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Chest pain
- Unusual fatigue
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
Ways to Address Cardiovascular Changes:
- Taking cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins
- Enjoying a heart-healthy diet
- Regular exercise with an emphasis on cardio
Immune System Changes
Age weakens the immune system, meaning greater odds of infections and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Staying up to date with vaccines, wearing masks, and washing hands can help mitigate the chance of developing serious complications from illnesses or developing certain illnesses in the first place.
Immune System Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Frequent infections
- Persistent infections
- Abnormally long wound healing
- Severe fatigue
Ways to Address Immunity Changes:
- Staying up to date on vaccinations
- Treating autoimmune disorders
- Washing hands regularly
Cognitive Changes
Brain function and memory can decline with age. The good news, however, is that some cognitive abilities (like vocabulary and verbal reasoning) do not typically decline with age; in fact, they may even improve!
The occasional forgetfulness or being a little slower to think, while frustrating, is typically not a cause for concern. Memory changes or cognitive decline that impacts safety or daily life, however, can warrant a trip to a healthcare provider for further testing.
Cognitive Changes That are Cause for Concern:
- Getting lost frequently
- Not managing finances
- Frequently forgetting familiar names and places
- Severe mood swings or behavioral changes
Ways to Address Cognitive Changes:
- Staying socially engaged
- Exercising regularly
- Playing brain games
- Getting enough sleep
- Avoiding alcohol
Aging Well for Women
Aging can be different, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Knowing what factors are controllable means it’s possible to impact the aging journey, taking a better route to wellness.
Important lifestyle changes aging women can make (after discussing them with their doctor) to address concerns include:
- Regular exercise, including balance training, strength training, and cardio exercises
- A diet filled with whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
- Supplements like magnesium, vitamin D, and calcium
- Skincare routine changes like using more moisturizers and sunscreen (important at any age)
- Hormone therapy
- Regular doctor appointments, screenings for conditions like breast cancer, and up-to-date vaccinations
- Stress management and self-care
- Good sleep schedule
- Not smoking or drinking
- Proper hydration
Female Aging FAQs
What happens to a woman’s body at age 60?
Women in their 60s undergo changes like:
- Hormonal changes, such as drops in progesterone and estrogen levels, leading to symptoms like vaginal dryness and drops in libido
- Reductions in bone density
- Reductions in muscle mass, leading to weight gain in the waist and hips
- Reductions in joint cartilage
- Reductions in collagen, leading to thinner and drier skin, sun spots, wrinkles, thinner hair, and brittle nails
- Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
At what age does a woman’s body age the most?
The most significant changes to a woman’s body typically occur during puberty and perimenopause/menopause.
What are some physical changes that occur during old age?
Female physical changes that occur in later life include loss of muscle mass, graying hair, thinning skin, and weight changes.
What is menopause?
Menopause is when the ovaries reduce their estrogen and progesterone production, leading to the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause typically happens in women’s 40s and 50s, but may occur earlier.
How do hormonal changes affect aging in women?
Hormones play a prominent role in many bodily functions. Production of many important hormones naturally declines with age, impacting the way the body and mind function. For women in particular, loss of estrogen and progesterone can mean loss of periods, declining muscle mass, bone loss, and thinning skin.
Final Thoughts
Understanding female aging and body changes is crucial to developing a healthy lifestyle strategy. Prioritizing healthy lifestyle changes and preventive care can help fight unpleasant effects of aging and allow women to take charge of their health from middle age through their golden years.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of medical, financial, tax or legal advice.