Senior women should see their gynecologist on a regular basis to:

Screen for and detect cancer. This includes ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancer, all of which can be detected during exams via pap smears and/or HPV tests.
 
Treat persistent medical issues. This can help address UTIs (urinary tract infections), vaginal leakage, incontinence, bladder control issues, weakened bone density, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), and more.   
 
Update or prescribe medication. Your gynecologist may prescribe you a replacement for your old medication that is more effective or write you a prescription to address a new issue you may be experiencing.

There is no age at which a woman should stop seeing her gynecologist, although the length between visits and screenings may increase depending on their personal health. Women who are over 65 can stop having annual pap exams as long as they have had three consecutive tests that have come back clear. However, many choose to continue having exams to safeguard their health.
 
Gynecological issues can present at any age, including seniority. Postmenopausal women may experience problems such as vaginal dryness, an increased number of UTIs, painful intercourse, urinary leakage, bladder control issues, and incontinence that require treatment from a gynecologist.
 
Regular gynecological exams are an important part of preventative health care and can help detect issues early for more effective treatment. As a result, regardless of your age, it is critical to see your gynecologist on a regular basis.

Women over 65 can choose to stop getting pelvic exams if they’ve had at least three consecutive negative Pap tests and/or two negative HPV tests. Exams are also not required for women who’ve undergone a hysterectomy and have no history of cervical cancer or any other precancerous anomalies.
 
However, many women continue to get tested as a practice in proactive healthcare, especially if they have a history of cancer in their family or if they have previously tested positive at some point in their life.
 
It’s recommended to continue seeing your gynecologist every 1–3 years to ensure good postmenopausal health and to continue getting screened for any abnormalities that may develop.

It’s recommended that seniors visit with their gynecologist every 1–3 years, whether they’re sexually active or not. This is to ensure good postmenopausal health, to address any issues of concern, and to continue screening for any abnormalities that may have developed. 
 
While the risk of cervical cancer declines significantly with age, the risks of other cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and uterine, rise. This is why it’s important to continue regular visits with your gynecologist. Early detection is one of the leading contributors to successful treatment.
 
At Women’s Health Counselling, we help our patients safeguard their health at every stage of their lives. For gynecological care that you can depend on, contact us today or book an appointment online. We’re happy to help answer any questions that you may have or provide more information about our available services. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Cicero IL, Oak Park IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Maywood IL, and Logan Square Chicago IL.