menopause symptom : Living With Menopause
Look at menopause as an opportunity to assess your life and your health and to take steps to plan the future you want. Here, some advice, including screening tips for various diseases and conditions.The Long Life Ahead
The average lifespan for women in the United States is approaching 80 years. Some women will spend four decades in their postmenopausal years. With this in mind, you can look at menopause as an opportunity to assess your life and your health and to take steps to plan the future you want.
Diet, exercise, and proper medical care, as outlined in this report, are important steps toward a lifetime of good health. But good health is more than just the absence of disease. Midlife women can enhance their quality of life by maintaining social support, reducing stress and anxiety, and taking time to relax and pursue activities they enjoy. One of the most important things to remember about menopause is that it is a different experience for every woman who reaches it.
Menopause Messages
A few take-home messages about menopause include:
Keep in mind that menopause is part of a process that can take years to complete. Symptoms can begin in your 30s and continue well beyond your last menstrual period.
When periods become irregular, see your physician to rule out such medical conditions as thyroid disease, uterine cancer, or depression. Symptoms of these conditions can mimic those of menopause.
Keep in mind that you may be going through other transitions at this time as well: children leaving home, career status changing, marital problems, or the aging process itself. Talk with friends or consider counseling if these events become overwhelming.
If you have troublesome symptoms, talk with your doctor about prescription medications, including hormone replacement or non-hormonal medications. You can also try over-the-counter products marketed for menopausal symptoms, but inform your doctor so both of you can be alert for side effects and drug interactions.
Age 50 is a reference point many health organizations use in recommending additional screening tests for diseases of later life, including cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Ask your doctor what screening tests are appropriate for you. Download a chart on 50+ screening tests. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)
© Copyright 2006, Meredith Corporation.
The average lifespan for women in the United States is approaching 80 years. Some women will spend four decades in their postmenopausal years. With this in mind, you can look at menopause as an opportunity to assess your life and your health and to take steps to plan the future you want.
Diet, exercise, and proper medical care, as outlined in this report, are important steps toward a lifetime of good health. But good health is more than just the absence of disease. Midlife women can enhance their quality of life by maintaining social support, reducing stress and anxiety, and taking time to relax and pursue activities they enjoy. One of the most important things to remember about menopause is that it is a different experience for every woman who reaches it.
Menopause Messages
A few take-home messages about menopause include:
Keep in mind that menopause is part of a process that can take years to complete. Symptoms can begin in your 30s and continue well beyond your last menstrual period.
When periods become irregular, see your physician to rule out such medical conditions as thyroid disease, uterine cancer, or depression. Symptoms of these conditions can mimic those of menopause.
Keep in mind that you may be going through other transitions at this time as well: children leaving home, career status changing, marital problems, or the aging process itself. Talk with friends or consider counseling if these events become overwhelming.
If you have troublesome symptoms, talk with your doctor about prescription medications, including hormone replacement or non-hormonal medications. You can also try over-the-counter products marketed for menopausal symptoms, but inform your doctor so both of you can be alert for side effects and drug interactions.
Age 50 is a reference point many health organizations use in recommending additional screening tests for diseases of later life, including cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Ask your doctor what screening tests are appropriate for you. Download a chart on 50+ screening tests. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)
© Copyright 2006, Meredith Corporation.
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