Women’s health is not defined by a single moment or milestone. Instead, it is a journey that evolves from adolescence into young adulthood, midlife, then into menopause and beyond. Ochsner physicians say that at each of these stages, the key to women living healthier lives is consistent, personalized care that looks beyond symptoms alone and focuses on the whole person and their overall wellness.
“As women, we care for so many people and often have professional obligations, too. We balance that with hormonal shifts at different times in our lives, as well as emotional factors like anxiety, depression and burnout. All of that can affect a woman’s health outcomes and quality of life,” said Cassandra Pillette, MD, primary care, Ochsner Health Center–Cordoba in Lafayette. “That’s why having a trusted healthcare provider is so critical. They can guide women through preventive screenings, managing chronic conditions and setting health goals.”
Dr. Pillette said annual wellness visits with a primary care physician are an important way for women to ensure that key health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are within normal ranges. It’s also a time to schedule or undergo screenings for different types of cancer, bone density, infectious diseases and other conditions.
Cassandra Pillette, MD, Primary Care, Ochsner Health Center-Cordoba in Lafayette
“Preventive care should be individualized. Patients should be able to have a rapport with their provider and feel comfortable discussing their health history, risk factors and family history,” Dr. Pillette said. “A physician who knows you well can be life-changing and life-saving.”
Navigating life changes from adolescence to adulthood
For women, a comprehensive approach to managing their health includes regular visits with an OB/GYN. Physicians recommend that girls have their first OB/GYN appointment between the ages of 13 and 15, typically around the onset of menstruation. These early visits are designed to build comfort, trust and a relationship that facilitates open conversations about menstrual cycles and development. Teens usually do not need internal exams unless they have symptoms like abnormal bleeding or pain.
A woman’s relationship with her OB/GYN becomes more important as she moves into her late teens and early adulthood. Annual well-woman exams offer consistent opportunities to address reproductive health and overall well-being. These visits also mark the beginning of preventive screenings. During these appointments, OB/GYNs conduct comprehensive pelvic exams to look for abnormalities. Pap smears, which typically start at age 21, are used to detect cervical changes that could lead to cancer. Mammograms are generally recommended starting at age 40 for women of average risk.
“OB/GYNs may also help women manage broader health concerns. We see women at all stages of life and focus on treating the entire patient, not only reproductive health concerns,” said Anna Claire Saucier, MD, obstetrics and gynecology, Ochsner Health Center–O’Neal in Baton Rouge. “We know that women go through hormone fluctuations that can impact their physical and mental well-being. Finding ways to manage those impacts and help women have better overall health is an important part of what we do.”
Dr. Saucier said women should schedule an OB/GYN appointment between annual visits if they have symptoms such as irregular periods, pelvic pain or infertility.
Anna Claire Saucier, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Health Center-O’Neal in Baton Rouge
“I think sometimes women ignore those concerns because they’ve been told that it’s normal. Those issues could actually indicate an underlying problem,” Dr. Saucier said. “Women shouldn’t feel like they have to live with those issues or deal with them on their own. One of the best aspects of Ochsner is that we have access to so many specialists who treat both common and complex conditions. It’s easy for us to discuss patients and manage their conditions together.”
A holistic approach to changing health needs
Wellness priorities shift as women transition into their 40s and 50s. Perimenopause–the transitional phase leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate significantly–often begins during these years. Symptoms can include irregular cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, brain fog, joint pain or weight gain.
“Perimenopause is a continuum rather than a single moment in time. This phase lasts an average of about four years, but can range from two to 10 years depending on the individual,” said Elizabeth Lapeyre, MD, obstetrics and gynecology, Ochsner Health Menopause and Women’s Wellness Center in New Orleans. “Most women enter perimenopause in their mid-40s, although some may begin as early as their late 30s or as late as their early 50s.”
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. This is a natural biological process that occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. The lower levels of those hormones increase the risk for conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis, which means regular healthcare visits should remain a priority.
“The physical and mental changes as women enter menopause can be dramatic. A lot of patients come to us and say they just don’t feel like themselves. Many of them experience new or worsening anxiety as they try to understand what is happening,” Dr. Lapeyre said.
Elizabeth Lapeyre, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Health Menopause and Women’s Wellness Center in New Orleans
The Ochsner Health Menopause and Women’s Wellness Center has four menopause-certified physicians, as well as one provider board-certified in integrative medicine and another in lifestyle medicine. That means they can treat all aspects of a woman’s health, Dr. Lapeyre said. They can also quickly refer patients to Ochsner specialists in cardiology, neurology, psychology and other areas if a woman needs more advanced screenings or treatments.
“We take a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to each patient,” Dr. Lapeyre said. “We talk a lot about nutrition, exercise, stress management and sleep. All of that is critically important to a woman’s physical and mental health.”
Ochsner Health Menopause and Women’s Wellness Center team at Ochsner Baptist
Taking charge of your health at every age
At any stage of a woman’s life, prioritizing her health can often fall behind the demands of caring for family, work and daily responsibilities. Dr. Pillette said she hopes more women take the time for annual wellness visits, appropriate screenings and discussing symptoms so they can thrive as the best version of themselves.
If a woman is looking for a new healthcare provider, Dr. Pillette recommended searching Ochsner.org, reading patient reviews and asking for suggestions from family and friends. Prospective patients can also meet with providers to ask questions and see if they have a rapport that can be the basis for a long-term health partnership.
“Healthcare is not optional, especially if you have others depending on you,” she said. “You cannot take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself. Don’t wait until something feels wrong. Routine visits and an ongoing relationship with a trusted physician can detect problems early, reduce long-term problems and support health through every stage of life.”
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Louisiana, Mississippi and across the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit ochsner.org.
