Your Physical Exam

General health:

• Record body habitus (build, constitution), height, weight, blood pressure.
• Perform thyroid, breast, cardiac and abdominal examinations.

Blood analysis:

Based on the physical, questionnaire and history, the following tests may be indicated:

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• Serum (blood) or saliva estradiol (a type of estrogen)
• Serum or saliva progesterone
• Serum or saliva testosterone
• Complete blood count
• Lipid profile
• Blood chemistry
• Thyroid function.

Pelvic health:

• Perform bimanual pelvic examination, including Pap smear (vaginal, cervical and endocervical samples). Undiagnosed bleeding may require an endometrial (lining of the uterus) biopsy.
• Ovarian cancer screening: For high-risk women, serum CA 125 levels testing and vaginal ultrasound may be indicated.

Colon health:

• Perform digital rectal examination, fecal hemoccult test (for blood in the stool) and endoscopy.
• For women at risk for colon cancer: a contrast barium enema and colonoscopy recommended.
• For women over 50: baseline sigmoidoscopy (colon exam) recommended.

Breast health:

Baseline mammogram between ages 35-40. Mammogram every year for women over 40. Monthly breast self-exam.

Osteoporosis screening:

A bone density test using either dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or a urine test to measure bone loss may be advisable for women at risk of osteoporosis. Risk factors include, among others, being female, a thin or small frame, advanced age, a family history of osteoporosis, and early menopause. A diet low in calcium, an inactive lifestyle, cigarette smoking and excessive use of alcohol also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risks of osteoporosis, and whether bone density testing is appropriate for you.

Cardiovascular health:

Serum cholesterol and lipid profile (HDL, LDL, and triglycerides), serum glucose, blood pressure, and smoking status.

Source: "Ambulatory screening for postmenopausal patients: What is needed, and when?", Julian L Peskin, M.D. and Wulf H. Utian, M.D., Ph.D., Menopause Management, March 1993, pp. 19-31.