Your (Very Personal) Health at 20, 30, 40, 50 - Page 3

ENDOMETRIOSIS
20s 30s 40s 50s
About one in 10 American women have endometriosis, a condition in which uterine tissue grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or near the bowel or bladder. The average age of diagnosis is 27, although the condition can appear in your teens, 30s, or 40s (after menopause prevalence drops because the wayward cells need estrogen to grow). Symptoms include severe premenstrual pain and infertility — in fact, Parker estimates one third of infertile women have endometriosis, although the link is unclear. Experts do know that taking the Pill continuously for three to nine months can eliminate periods and related pain. The progesterin in pills makes endometriosis cells shrink, but symptoms may resume once you stop taking them. For women with more severe symptoms, Parker recommends undergoing laparoscopic surgery to have problem cells removed via a small incision in the navel.

PERIMENOPAUSE
20s 30s 40s 50s
This transition period into menopause can last up to 10 years as estrogen and progesterone levels shift. While the average age of onset is between 47 and 52, perimenopause can start as early as 35 (this is more likely if your mom experienced early menopause or if you have certain health conditions such as heart disease). Signs include hot flashes, low libido, mood swings, and erratic periods.

Let's face it: Perimenopause is no fun — but you can get relief. Taking the Pill can lessen hot flashes and night sweats and reduce menstrual irregularities. Another reason to use birth control: Four in 10 pregnancies among women in their 40s are unplanned, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Remember, if you are still ovulating, you can have a baby — no matter how wacky your periods are.

Lifestyle changes can also help ease perimenopause symptoms. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days has been shown to help relieve night sweats and anxiety. Thacker also advises eating fish, walnuts, and other foods rich in mood-lifting omega-3 fatty acids. And to increase desire, "don't focus on the genitals," suggests Whipple. Instead, enjoy other sensual experiences with your partner: Feed each other forkfuls of dessert or watch a provocative film. "Your desire has a good chance of naturally returning when your focus is elsewhere," she says.

YEAST INFECTIONS
20s 30s 40s 50s
Vaginal yeast infections are common to women of all ages; about 75 percent of us will experience some of the telltale signs — itching, excess discharge, and painful urination — at least once during our lifetime. They're caused by an overgrowth of the yeast that occur naturally in the vagina, and many factors can contribute, including stress, lack of sleep, taking the Pill or antibiotics, or pregnancy.

If you suspect you have a yeast infection, an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatment such as Monistat may be all you need. But OTC treatments may not be properly formulated to treat the types of yeast causing your symptoms. What's more, two thirds of women purchasing these products don't have a yeast infection at all, according to the CDC: Yeast infections can be hard to distinguish from bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis (see below). Before self-treating, try taking the Fem-V at-home vaginal- infection test ($7.99, drugstore.com) — a positive result suggests bacterial infection and the need for prescription antibiotics. If the test indicates yeast infection and an OTC treatment doesn't clear your symptoms within a week, or if you have repeat infections, see your doctor.

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
20s 30s 40s 50s
The most common vaginal condition in women of childbearing age, bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when there's an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria found normally in the vagina. Symptoms are similar to those of a yeast infection, though typically milder. While researchers aren't sure what causes the bacterial imbalance that leads to BV, they do know it tends to happen to women in their 20s and 30s who are very sexually active or who have a new sexual partner or multiple partners. Douching can also disrupt bacterial balance, so don't do it, says Thacker. If you suspect you have BV, see your doctor for antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria can increase your susceptibility to STDs or UTIs, or cause complications if you're pregnant.