Bone and muscle mass start to gradually decline after peaking during your 20s. For women, the decade of life past the age of 30 can bring both change and stability in career, personal life, and certainly health. Here are four changes your body could experience in your 30s. 1. Bone mass begins to reduce gradually Aging leads to a natural decline in bone mass, which peaks during your 20s. The loss can put people at higher risk of osteoporosis, a condition where the bones become fragile and can break easily. Due to hormonal factors and smaller bones, women are generally more susceptible to it than men. This is why it is important to consume enough calcium in your diet and also take up bone strengthening exercises like weight-lifting, cycling, Tai Chi, etc. A recent report also reminded people walking is not enough to keep bones and muscles healthy if strengthening exercises are neglected. 2. Increased susceptibility to weight gain The aforementioned decrease in muscle mass can lead to a higher proportion of body fat but the kind of lifestyle you lead also plays a role in weight gain. Sedentary behavior, due to sitting for long periods at work or eating out more often, is a major risk factor. Losing baby weight can also be a common hurdle since more and more women are saving motherhood for their 30s. While metabolism may show subtle signs of slowing down in your late 20s, this can become even more apparent when you are well into your 30s, according to Brunilda Nazario, associate medical director at WebMD. 3. Periods may undergo slight changes For the most, you will not experience any major menstrual changes until your 40s. But certain factors — from hormonal fluctuations to perimenopause — can trigger period irregularities or even pain during the preceding decade. Endometriosis is also said to be common in this age group. On the other hand, some women may also find their periods become less painful after having a baby. "This is usually because the cervix has expanded and will allow for blood to flow with less need for uterine contractions," said Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics. 4. Skin may be more prone to dryness Skin cell turnover slows down to a rate of 28 to 35 days, which means dead cells take longer to get replaced. As a result, retaining moisture on your face can become a challenge. "It takes longer for the top layer of the skin to slough off, giving a more dull and dry quality," said dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a clinical instructor at NYU Langone and Mount Sinai. "Furthermore, production of hydrating factors in the skin such as hyaluronic acid slows down and break down increases." Source
