In your 60s, most of the intense hot flashes and night sweats of the menopause transition have usually settled, but this decade brings its own focus: protecting your bones, heart, brain, and muscle. Estrogen has been low for several years now, so genitourinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness and urinary changes often persist or appear for the first time, and long-term health moves to center stage. The encouraging news is that most of what matters in your 60s responds to prevention. The ages here are typical patterns, not rules — every woman's timeline is different.
Menopause symptoms: what eases, what lingers
By your 60s you are firmly postmenopausal. For many women, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) ease during this decade, though a minority still have them; the NHS notes menopause symptoms usually last for around 7 to 9 years, and sometimes longer.[7] What often does not fade is genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) — vaginal dryness, irritation, pain with sex, urinary urgency, and repeated urinary tract infections — because it is driven by ongoing low estrogen in the vaginal and bladder tissues.[5] Unlike hot flashes, GSM tends to persist or slowly worsen — but it is very treatable, so it is worth raising rather than quietly enduring. Lingering joint aches are also common.
| Often eases | Often persists or begins |
|---|---|
| Hot flashes and night sweats | Vaginal dryness and irritation (GSM) |
| Sleep disruption from night sweats | Urinary urgency and repeat UTIs |
| Mood swings tied to fluctuating hormones | Bone and heart risk that rises with age |
Bone health: the DEXA decade
Bone loss accelerates after menopause, and about one in five women over 50 has osteoporosis.[2] The 60s are when screening formally begins: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a bone-density (DEXA) scan for all women from age 65, and earlier for postmenopausal women under 65 who have added risk factors such as low body weight, smoking, or a parent who broke a hip.[1] A DEXA scan is quick and painless. To protect bone, the recommended calcium intake rises to about 1,200 mg a day for women over 50 — best from food where possible — alongside adequate vitamin D and weight-bearing plus resistance exercise.[6] See our bone-health hub, the difference between a DEXA scan and at-home bone tests, and check what you are due for with Her Health Check.
Heart health takes center stage
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, responsible for roughly 1 in 5 female deaths.[4] Cardiovascular risk climbs after menopause as estrogen's protective effect fades, so the 60s are a key decade to know your numbers. The CDC highlights keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check, staying active with at least 150 minutes of activity a week, not smoking, and managing weight.[4] Explore our heart-health hub and how it connects to weight and metabolism.
Brain and cognitive health
Occasional memory lapses and word-finding pauses are a normal part of aging, not a sign of dementia. The National Institute on Aging points to habits that support cognitive health: regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure, staying socially engaged, sleeping well, and addressing hearing loss.[3] If you still notice brain fog, it is worth mentioning to a clinician, since thyroid changes, sleep, mood, and medications can all play a part. Try the Brain & Body Check-In to reflect on your daily habits.
Muscle: staying strong matters most
Muscle mass and strength naturally decline with age, which can affect metabolism, balance, and independence. Strength (resistance) training a couple of times a week, plus enough protein spread through the day, helps preserve muscle and supports your bones and heart at the same time — arguably the highest-value habit of the decade. Our exercise guide and nutrition hub have practical starting points, and a midlife-friendly eating pattern can help too.
Screenings to keep up with
Beyond a bone-density scan from 65, your 60s are a decade to stay current on blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes checks, breast and cervical screening per local guidance, colorectal screening, and eye and hearing checks. Enter your age into Her Health Check for a sourced list, and use the Menopause Symptom Score to track any symptoms over time.
The bottom line
Your 60s are a decade of prevention and strength rather than crisis: hot flashes usually settle, genitourinary symptoms are treatable, and bone, heart, brain, and muscle health respond well to movement, good food, and regular screenings. Every woman's body and history are different, so talk to your clinician about your personal risks, which screenings you are due for, and any symptoms that bother you — including whether options such as hormone therapy or non-hormonal treatments might fit you. For the fuller picture across the decades — your 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond — start at the menopause hub.