MENOPAUSE

TREATMENTS & ADVICE

The goal in treating menopause is to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk for long-term medical conditions, such as heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.

There are a variety of treatment options available to menopausal women. To help determine the most appropriate treatment, it is important for each woman to discuss personal risks and benefits with her healthcare provider.

To combat symptoms and prevent the development of osteoporosis associated with diminished estrogen levels, many healthcare practitioners recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

HRT involves the administration of the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) refers to the administration of estrogen alone.

ERT has proven to be very effective in relieving many of the symptoms of menopause, and is also thought to help prevent osteoporosis and, possibly, heart disease. Hormone treatment for menopause is still quite controversial, however, especially as it relates to treatment for heart disease. Also of particular concern is the possibility that women taking ERT are at an increased risk for breast cancer.

Based on these concerns and scientific evidence to date, physicians are unable to recommend HRT for all women. There are no right or wrong answers to the question of whether or not to use HRT.

Each woman must weigh the possibilities based on individual symptoms and risks for other medical conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. For some women, other medications and non-drug therapies may be the only reasonable choice. The following remedies have been shown to reduce the risk for long-term medical conditions associated with menopause:

• Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) help prevent osteoporosis
• Calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients increase bone mineral density
• Soy foods help diminish hot flashes and improve cholesterol which, in turn, may reduce the risk of heart disease
• Exercise boosts bone mineral density, reduces hot flashes, and improves mood
• Low-fat diets reduce the risk of heart disease Other remedies that may help alleviate the symptoms of menopause include magnesium, black cohosh, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques.

Diet & Exercise

Slowing the rate of bone loss (through weight-bearing exercises)
• Reducing hot flashes
• Boosting mood
• Enhancing memory and concentration
• Improving cholesterol
• Improving pelvic muscle tone through Kegel exercises
• Maintenance of general health and strength, particularly for elderly who are better able to maintain independence if they exercise.

The right diet can help a woman battle many of the risks and discomforts associated with menopause. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, for example, may diminish the risk of heart disease in menopausal women by providing the following benefits

• Less of a rise in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (both are bad forms of cholesterol) · At least short-term lowering of blood pressure
• Diminished weight gain In addition, soy-based foods like tofu have been shown to help minimize certain symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes.

Adding plenty of calcium to the diet can also help a menopausal women avoid bone loss. (Foods rich in calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, almonds, and dried beans). High fiber meals may also help lower a woman's risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.

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