Taking Care of My Health in Japan: Hormones, Kidneys, Teeth, and More

Living in Japan as a middle-aged woman, I’ve learned that staying healthy takes planning and regular check-ups. Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly checking off my health care to-do list—and I wanted to share some of the process with you.

Hormone Treatment and Blood Tests

Every three months, I go to a women’s clinic to pick up hormone treatment medication. This treatment is important because it helps stop tumours from growing. Once or twice a year, I also get my hormone levels tested—10 different hormones in total. I’m waiting for the results now and will get them this Friday.

The hormone I take is called dienogest. It’s commonly used in Japan, but in Canada, it’s less well-known. It is approved in Canada (under the brand name Visanne), but only for treating endometriosis and still rarely used. It’s not used for birth control or for fibroids like it is in some other countries. In Canada, many doctors are not  familiar with it, or it might be harder to access because of insurance rules or provincial restrictions. That’s one of the big differences I’ve noticed between health care in Japan and Canada.

A Visit to the Dentist—After 8 Years!

Next on my list was something I had been putting off for a long time: the dentist. I hadn’t been to a dentist in Japan since moving here 8 years ago! Finally, I found an English-speaking dentist with high ratings online—and I was very happy with the experience.

The check-up was easy and stress-free. They took X-rays, looked at my teeth, and told me everything looked good. I don’t need any treatment—just a regular cleaning in three months.

The cost also surprised me. In Japan, I paid about ¥4,200 (around $40 CAD) for the whole check-up, including X-rays. In Canada, a similar check-up could cost $500 to $600 CAD without insurance. A new government dental insurance program is starting in Canada this year. I don’t know the details yet, but I hope it will help make dental care more affordable for Canadians—just like it already is in Japan.

Keeping an Eye on My Kidneys

Also coming up this week is my annual kidney check-up. I have high creatinine levels in my blood, which means my kidneys aren’t working at full strength. My English-speaking doctor says I am borderline between stage 2 and stage 3a of chronic kidney disease (CKD), based on Western standards. In Japan, this level may look more serious on paper—but either way, it’s something I need to manage carefully.

I’m lucky to have a kind and thoughtful doctor who explains everything clearly. Unfortunately, he is getting older and now works fewer days, so it’s getting harder to schedule visits.

CKD runs in my family. Many people on my maternal grandmother’s side died from kidney-related problems—either because they didn’t know or didn’t get the care they needed. That’s why this check-up is important to me.

To keep my kidneys healthy, I drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day (and up to 3 litres in summer), and I try to eat a low-salt diet. These small habits can make a big difference when living with CKD.

Looking Ahead: October’s Ningen Dock

My husband and I have also signed up for our yearly Ningen Dock—a special full-body health check-up program in Japan. This year, we’re adding a few extra tests:

• A Brain Dock (MRI and MRA scans) to check for stroke or aneurysm risk
• Extra women’s cancer screenings for me and thyroid  hormone tests for my husband who is underweight 
• A bone density test, which is important because women over 40 can lose bone mass due to hormone changes

It’s a long day with many tests, but it gives us peace of mind—and helps us plan for the future with more confidence.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of our health doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Often, it just means checking in with our bodies and taking action before problems get worse.

I feel grateful to live in a country where these types of check-ups are available and affordable. Whether it’s hormones, kidneys, teeth, or cancer screenings—each step helps me feel more in control of my health and future.


UPDATE: 

 Medical and Health Vocabulary

 Healthcare System & Cultural Differences

 Useful Phrases