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Some women go through menopause without experiencing any physical symptoms. In other women the changing hormone patterns can lead to unpleasant symptoms and increase the likelihood of developing certain diseases.
But whichever group you fall into, the menopausal years are a time when you need to take particular care of your health. The active management of the menopausal years lies in your hands. The better you understand your body and the more you know about the available treatment options the better you will be able to discuss the relevant issues with your health care provider and make informed decisions.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a typical feature of the perimenopause (the years leading up to the last menstrual period). Many women find the unpredictability of their periods very disrupting.
Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes or flashes and outbreaks of sweating can considerably compromise quality of life. Vaginal dryness can be extremely painful and cause inflammation. It can also significantly interfere with your love life.
Depression is more common in the second half of life. There are many reasons for this and the shifting hormone patterns in the menopausal years are thought to be a risk factor.
The long-term estrogen deficiency in the menopausal years can contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
Just as the symptoms vary from woman to woman, so must the medical care in the menopausal years be tailored to each woman's individual needs. There is no one form of treatment which is suitable for all women. It is important to find tailor-made strategies to deal with your symptoms and problems. What preventive measures are necessary also depends on your individual risk.
You should have regular medical checkups and discuss your symptoms and health risks with your health care provider. You should also make use of all cancer screening and early detection programs. Menopause does not increase the risk of cancer and cancer is not a typical disease of menopause. But many cancers occur more frequently with increasing age.
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