You asked, we answered: Do women need a pelvic exam after menopause?
Question:
Do women need a pelvic exam after menopause?
Answer from Nebraska Medicine OB-GYN Marcela Pineda, MD:
Menopause is a major milestone, but it’s not the end of your relationship with your OB-GYN. In fact, those annual visits can be just as important as ever. Just because you have gone through menopause doesn’t mean your reproductive organs have completely retired. They can still experience changes that affect our overall health and quality of life.
Most women do quite well through menopause and don’t have many symptoms. But others notice new issues they didn’t experience before, like vulvar itching, vaginal dryness, recurrent urinary tract infections or even pelvic organ prolapse.
These changes are part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a group of symptoms related to declining estrogen levels that affect the vagina, bladder and urinary tract. This is an important time to talk with your gynecologist. We can address these concerns early and help women feel comfortable and confident again, including when it comes to their sexuality.
Women should continue to see their gynecologist once a year, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll need a pelvic exam every time. That can be a shared decision with your doctor – you might decide to skip it some years or even space it out every two to three years. The key is keeping that relationship and ongoing guidance.
It’s also important not to “graduate” from mammograms. Postmenopausal women are among those who benefit most from regular screening. We’ve seen an increase in breast cancer among younger women, which is why screening now starts at age 40. But the highest rates of breast cancer are still in women in their 50s and 60s, so it’s essential to keep up with those screenings.
There’s no strict age when women should stop seeing their OB-GYN. If you’re in your late 60s or 70s and haven’t had any gynecological or vaginal concerns, that’s something you can discuss with your doctor. What matters most is your health, your comfort and continuing to feel supported.
