The never-ending demands that come with the job of caretaker-in-chief for a family can leave a woman’s own health concerns languishing on the back burner.

But making your own health a priority can be as simple as having a conversation with your doctor, says Mills-Peninsula OB/GYN Maryam Arjomand, M.D.

“Some of the top health concerns for women involve things that touch each of us every day – fertility, libido and hormones and how these affect well being.

“It is important to see your doctor because these issues change. What we thought was true 20 years ago is not the same now.”

Best timing for baby
“A lot of people think, ‘If I don’t have a baby by age 30, I’m done,’” she says. “But that’s not true.”

In her early 30s, a woman’s chances of getting pregnant are only slightly lower than in the late 20s.

Conversely, media reports of women conceiving at 47 or 48, which often fail to report details like the use of donor eggs, are giving women the false hope they can wait until 45 and still get pregnant, Dr. Arjomand said.

“It’s good to see the doctor to get the real scoop, and the appropriate fertility treatment, if needed,” she said.

In the mood?
“The main problem with women in terms of libido is a lack of it,” the doctor said.

Especially after having children, many women are tough on themselves if they can’t muster up energy or interest in sex.

“There are periods of time when libido is down, and it’s just a natural part of modern life,” Dr. Arjomand says.

“It‘s extremely rare for low libido in women to be the result of a medical or hormonal issue. It‘s much more connected to stress, lack of time to yourself and time alone with your spouse. We usually recommend a vacation.”

And women’s issues with sex are not easily resolved with a little blue pill.

“Libido has a different mechanism of action in women than men,” Dr. Arjomand says. “You can’t throw the same medication at women. In women, libido is in the mind.”

Hot and cold
Fluctuating hormones affect each woman differently. Many women aren’t that sensitive, whereas others can be thrown for a loop.

Birth control pills can help some women who struggle with hormonal issues, but follow-up visits with your doctor are very important to adjust doses and treatment, the doctor says.

Despite the bad press, hormone replacement therapy is a still a safe, FDA-approved option for women experiencing serious menopause symptoms.

“We do it a lot less now, but hormone replacement is safe in early menopause, around age 50 to 55, in women with minimal risk factors,” the doctor said.

Health screenings no woman should miss

Annual Pap smear. Post-menopausal women often forget they still need an annual pelvic exam. Even women who had their uterus removed should come back yearly to be screened for vaginal cancers.

Mammogram. Dr. Arjomand recommends a baseline mammogram in mid 30s, then yearly after 40.

Bone scan at menopause or age 50. Women in high-risk groups such as slender women or those of Caucasian and Southeast Asian descent should get screened sooner, as should smokers and women who have been on steroids.

Ovarian cancer. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer before menopause should be screened. After menopause a CA125 blood test can be added.

For more information about screenings relevant to your age and gender, visit www.mills-peninsula.org/healthmaintain.