Why can't I lose weight?
What's with all this facial hair?
One surprising sign of aging for many women is the sudden sprouting of chin whiskers. But sometimes, excessive facial hair is a sign of excessive hormone production. Ask your doctor whether this new facial hair appears normal or if something else is going on.
Are my allergies serious?
People often adapt to the symptoms of their allergies—sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.—to the point that they don't realize they're getting worse. The side effects of allergies can veer into life-threatening. Even if you just have a stuffy nose in spring, or uncontrollable sneezing around your mother-in-law's cat, ask your doctor about ways to manage the symptoms and when to know you need stronger treatment.
Do I have cancer? A tumor?
We all know someone who jumps to the worst case scenario at every ache and pain (maybe that someone is you?) but there's a lot to look out for when it comes to our health. Rather than losing sleep about a weird knot in our skin or a headache that won't go away, make an appointment with your doctor and tell them to cut to the chase. The answer is likely, "No, it's just allergies." But the never-ending cramps? They might decide to run a few tests.
Why do I get so many headaches?
Flag frequent headaches with your doctor, since they could be a sign of underlying medical issues. Even those that have no obvious cause can be treated, sometimes with stronger medicine than you can get at the drugstore. In any case, your doctor should be made aware of your headaches, so that you both will know if they're getting more frequent or worse.
What happened to my sex drive?
A change in a person's sex drive can be an embarrassing thing to admit, even in confidence to one's doctor. While hormonal swings as we age are normal, a drastic change in one's sex drive may be a sign of a deeper medical problem. Your doctor might want to run more tests—or refer you to therapy if she suspects it's due more to problems in your relationships. Either way, outside help is necessary.
Am I too old to get pregnant?
Female fertility has a wide range and really comes down to the individual's DNA and health. So, while your doctor won't likely be able to say for certain your chances of getting pregnant, she can talk through your health history with you and, if you've already struggled to get pregnant, refer you to fertility specialists who can provide more intensive therapies and strategies. Your doctor should also be able to talk through with you when you no longer have to worry about getting pregnant, and when birth control is no longer necessary to avoid pregnancy.
