Physicians Dr. Madison Andrews, Dr. Amanda Miles, and Dr. Mark Paden, discussed the physical and hormonal changes women experience throughout life during the annual Women of Wellness event hosted by the Stillwater Medical Foundation on March 11, 2026. They provided the more than 300 event attendees with expert advice on how to care for their bodies—from early adulthood and pregnancy to perimenopause, menopause and beyond. 

A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of building healthy habits early and continuing them throughout life. 

“It’s never too late to start. But the earlier you can start exercising, the better,” Dr. Andrews told attendees. “It takes a long time to really build muscle mass, and it takes a lot of work to maintain it.” She also encouraged women to prioritize their own well-being, reminding the audience, “You deserve to prioritize yourself now and set this good foundation so that you can continue to build on that and help protect you as you get older.” 

During the early stages of adulthood, preventive care and preparation for future health are key. Physicians discussed prenatal vitamins and nutrition for women who may plan to become pregnant. “If we’re planning a pregnancy, we currently recommend that we find a vitamin that has 0.4 milligrams of folic acid in it, and we start taking that daily, ideally several months before we start trying to get pregnant,” Dr. Miles explained. 

As women move into midlife, many begin experiencing perimenopause, a transition period marked by hormonal changes and irregular menstrual cycles. Physicians described this stage as one that can last several years and bring a range of symptoms. Some women experience hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating, decreased libido, weight gain, joint aches or thinning hair. 

“It’s kind of like puberty in reverse,” Dr. Miles said. “It’s this process for several years where we go through a lot of changes in our body. Instead of our hormones increasing like we did during puberty, they’re decreasing gradually.” 

Hormonal shifts during this stage can affect many areas of health, including bones, joints and muscles. One physician explained the role estrogen plays in the body. “Estrogen is such an important part of the musculoskeletal system,” Dr. Paden said. “When it drops, inflammation goes up.” 

Because of these changes, physicians emphasized the importance of strength training, nutrition and bone health during midlife. Exercise and proper nutrition can help protect the body from long-term issues like osteoporosis and joint pain. 

Weight changes during menopause were also discussed. While hormonal changes can make weight gain more common, the physicians encouraged women to focus on healthy habits rather than quick fixes. “There’s no quick fix,” Dr. Andrews said. “Overall resistance training and weightlifting, just build muscle and reduce your overall body fat.” 

Panelists also spoke about maintaining perspective as the body changes with age. “It’s really unfair to be so hard on yourself,” Dr. Andrews shared. “To think that your body is the same at 50 as it was at 20, right? It’s not, and it shouldn’t be.” 

In later stages of life, physicians emphasized maintaining movement, strength and social connections. Exercise, flexibility and staying engaged with others can support both physical and mental health.  

The physicians encouraged women to advocate for themselves and share any health concerns with a trusted primary care physician, knowing support and guidance are always available. 

Events like this are supported by Stillwater Medical Foundation’s Women of Wellness program. The Women of Wellness membership provides access to a network of health-conscious women, a growing list of exclusive perks, and a platform to receive current healthcare information from local, reliable sources. As a collective, members play an active role in expanding women’s healthcare at Stillwater Medical by identifying timely opportunities, curating engaging events and initiatives, and garnering supportive funding for them. Women interested in joining can learn more at https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___www.smc-foundation.org.___.YzJ1OnN0aWxsd2F0ZXJtZWRpY2FsOmM6bzoyOWI3YmVmMDEzMTIwNjQzY2IzZTA2OWRlZjc5ZTg4Njo3OmZhN2U6MTYzZGM5ODE2N2RmZWFjZDYxMDZjNjRhMjBlZDFhMDE0YTI3ZGIxYzFlNzE2OTQwZWEwNDBlMGJkNTI4NjAxZDp0OkY6Tg