After menopause, do I still need complete gynecological exams?

If you are having sex (and we hope you are) and are female, yes. Annual exams, including complete gynecological exams, are good preventive measures. And the screening exams that you receive through your gynecologist can be life saving.

As you age, the risk for certain health problems such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and breast cancer increases, especially after menopause.

For many women, the gynecologist is the only doctor they see regularly, so your gynecologist may be the only person to pick up on your elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol. So keep up your visits, no matter what.

Menopause may be a time of transition, but one thing that does not change is the need to see a gynecologist on a regular basis. In fact, since some cancers become more common as a woman ages, these office visits can take on an even greater importance after midlife.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all women over 45 have an annual pelvic exam, in which a doctor checks the health of your reproductive organs. Some women, such as those who have had hysterectomies, may not need an annual exam. ACOG also recommends that all women over 30 have a Pap test every two years, though if you have three normal tests in a row, you may be able to have the test less often.

Every women should continue to have an annual gynecological exam, including a pap smear, for good preventive health. Especially as women age, the risk of cancer can increase. It is important to monitor reproductive organ health. Women at higher risk of ovarian or cervical cancer should talk with their doctor about monitoring their health carefully.