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Menopause Facts
Other articles regarding menopause are:
Menopause Facts
by: News Canada
- When a woman reaches menopause her risk of developing osteoporosis and
cardiovascular disease increases. Women can lose 3 to 5% of their bone
mass each year for an average of 10 years because of the low levels of
estrogen after menopause. It is possible for a woman to lose as much
as 30% of her total bone mass during this period leading to postmenopausal
osteoporosis (weak, thin bones). Cardiovascular disease, on the other hand,
is the leading and least recognized cause of death in women after
menopause also because of a woman's lower estrogen levels, and by the
age of 65-70 years, women have the same risk for coronary disease as men their age
- A decline in estrogen levels also causes the vaginal tissue and
tissue in the lower urinary tract to become thinner and drier, and
as a result intercourse can be more painful and you may be more predisposed
to urinary tract infections. Talk to your health care professional and he/she
will be able to recommend an appropriate course of action
- Eating right and incorporating regular physical activity into your lifestyle
can make a significant difference in the way you feel and can prevent some
of the long-term effects associated with estrogen deficiency (for example,
osteoporosis).
Calcium and vitamin D are key to maintaining healthy bones.
Women 50 years of age or older should have a calcium
intake of 1,500 mg per
day and a vitamin D intake of 800 IUs per
day. Also avoid excessive caffeine
and alcohol intake and discontinue cigarette smoking
- Most women gain weight. This is in part due to the hormonal changes
associated with menopause and to the fact that women tend to be less active
as they grow older. To ensure you stay physically fit, exercise regularly and
make it a priority
- Some women continue to experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such
as bloating, moodiness or tender breasts as they approach menopause
- There are now safe and effective 'natural' alternatives women can choose
to alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve bone and heart health. For
example, Promensil and Rimostil, isoflavone supplements derived from red clover,
have been shown in clinical studies to relieve the frequency and severity of
hot flashes, increase bone density, and improve HDL (good cholesterol levels)
in postmenopausal women. These natural remedies are available over-the-counter
in pharmacies and health food outlets across the country. Talk to your doctor
first to see if these supplements are the right option for you (see our article
herbal remedies for menopause as well)
- If you choose to go the natural route talk to your doctor about how often
you should visit him/her and what tests you should undergo. For example, you
should probably have a blood test to measure your cholesterol levels at menopause
and if you're at risk for osteoporosis you should have a bone mineral density test
done to examine the strength of your bones
- And finally, take time out for yourself and try to balance your lifestyle.
If you need support, talk to your family and friends or ask your doctor or
pharmacist about support groups in your community that deal with menopause
For the latest news about menopause issues, see the news list at the bottom of this web page.
News Canada
About The Author
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News about Menopause
These news items are supplied by "Yahoo! News". You can visit them at http://news.yahoo.com/.
- Tao Formulations Announces the Official Launch of Tao Harmony - Menopause Relief Formula (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Tao Formulations announces the official launch of Tao Harmony - Menopause Relief Formula, at the Internal Medicine 2008 conference in Washington DC. This revolutionary product is the culmination of years of research to develop a safe, all-natural, non-hormonal alternative for relieving menopausal symptoms.
- Breast cancer risk reduced by exercise (UPI)
ST. LOUIS, May 15 (UPI) -- Girls and young women who exercise regularly between ages 12 to 35 have a substantially lower risk of breast cancer before menopause, a U.S. study said.
- Withdrawing From Antidepressants Can Be A Living Hell (Hartford Courant)
Q: I was put on Cymbalta to stop hot flashes from menopause. When I switched doctors, my new physician was angry that I had been put on an antidepressant for hot flashes and put me on hormones instead. I am now trying to stop taking Cymbalta. The dosage was reduced for several months. Then I took a pill every other day for months. I have not taken any for more than two weeks, and my life is a ...
- Exercise may protect girls from future breast cancer (AP via Yahoo! News)
Get your daughters off the couch: New research shows exercise during the teen years — starting as young as age 12 — can help protect girls from breast cancer when they're grown. Middle-aged women have long been advised to get active to lower their risk of breast cancer after menopause.
- Exercise cuts risk for premenopausal women (Cancerfacts.com)
ST. LOUIS – May 14, 2008 – Girls and young women who exercise regularly between the ages of 12 and 35 have a substantially lower risk of breast cancer before menopause compared to those who are less active, new research shows.
- Researchers stop biological clock during chemo (The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles)
Girls as young as 14 who are exposed to chemotherapy for treating breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and other non-malignant diseases such as lupus, put their reproductive system at risk. The chemotherapy can trigger premature menopause and leave women infertile.
- Vitamin D deficiency linked to breast cancer in new study (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Women deficient in vitamin D at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis are more likely to die or see the tumor spread, a Canadian study published in the United States has shown.
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