---
url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/what-ask-womens-health'
title: "What to Ask: Women's Health"
author:
  name: 'lauren kopchik'
  url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/user/97'
date: '2018-10-15T16:44:32+00:00'
updated: '2018-10-23T16:12:51+00:00'
type: resource
summary: 'Many older women do not seek regular gynecological care. Unfortunately, important and treatable problems can go undiagnosed and become severe and sometimes disabling. Do not be afraid to discuss gynecological problems with your healthcare provider. Here are questions you can ask your provider about gynecological issues.'
published: true
---
##  [What to Ask: Women's Health](/tools-and-tips/what-ask-womens-health) 

Many older women do not seek regular gynecological care, often because they feel they are too old to worry about such things or because they are embarrassed about discussing personal matters. This is unfortunate, because important and treatable problems can go undiagnosed until they become very severe and sometimes disabling. You should not be afraid to discuss gynecological problems with your healthcare provider.

**Here are questions you can ask your healthcare provider about gynecological issues.**

1. Do I still need a pap smear?
2. How often do I need to get a mammogram?
3. Why am I still having hot flashes?
4. Does my vitamin have enough calcium?
5. Is the pain that I have caused by osteoporosis?
6. Do I need surgery for my bladder leakage?
7. Is there a safe treatment to prevent vaginal dryness?
8. How often do I need to check if my bones are thinning?
9. How much calcium do I need to take each day?
10. I have uterine prolapse. What are my options for treatment? Do I need surgery?
11. What is a pessary and how does it work?