Making the most of menopause

What young woman hasn’t heard her mother or family friend complain about menopause? Older women frequently commiserate about the negative effects of menopause, hot flashes usually being the main shared complaint.

Every day, an estimated 6,000 U.S. women reach menopause, according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

The impending physical, emotional and social changes associated with menopause might cause some women to wish they could avoid making the transition, but it can also become a gateway to better health.

“Women begin focusing on what’s happening to their bodies,” said Dr. Linda Prentice, an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford (pictured on right). “That attention to their bodies tends to lead women to take the time to think more about issues related to their overall health, which can be very beneficial for women who have spent years focusing on the health of others first.”

Symptoms of menopause, ranging from mild to severe and spanning up to five years or more, can include:

• Hot flashes
• Sleep disturbances
• Memory and concentration changes
• Mood swings, depression and anxiety
• Heart Palpitations
• Joint pain
• Changes in skin, hair and eyes
• Headaches

For some women, hormone therapy can be prescribed to help alleviate menopausal symptoms and potentially provide additional health benefits later in life. However, hormone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. According to some studies, hormone therapy can adversely affect health for some women by contributing to such diseases as breast cancer, uterine cancer and hypertension.

“Each woman’s experience with menopause, her medical history and health are unique,” Prentice said. “All are factors that need to be considered to determine the best treatment for women during this stage of life.”

Staying informed about health issues associated with menopause and later stages of life for women is one way women can make the most out of menopause. Many of the decisions a woman makes during menopause will have an effect on her health for the rest of her life.

The bottom line is being informed and taking time to survey your overall health can make the most of the menopause experience.