Menopause

“What do you think about bio­identical hormones?” asked a woman in her 50s who had come as a “walk-in” to the clinic where I practice. “The gynecologist my family doctor referred me to told me that they’re unproven and it’s better to go with traditional hormone replacement. I’m scared to do that, though.” During my medical training I had learned the basics of women’s … [Read more...] about Why Is Hormone Replacement Therapy So Controversial?

For Diana Barkley, a public relations consultant in Vancouver, menopause meant a loss of control over her life. It began at age 50 with insomnia and night sweats—waves of heat that struck several times a night, leaving her drenched and clammy—and the inevitable fatigue that followed the next day. Daytime hot flashes became a fact of life, too, striking her unawares, including … [Read more...] about Which Menopause Treatment is Right for You?

Your ovaries and uterus aren't the only organs in transition during menopause. Because of declining estrogen levels, your brain also experiences chemical changes that can alter the way you think and feel. Early evidence suggests that decreased estrogen levels may alter how the brain encodes and retrieves data. Researchers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have … [Read more...] about How Menopause Affects Your Brain

1. Surgery A woman who has had her ovaries removed, either independently or as part of a total hysterectomy, experiences immediate menopause. Other types of abdominal surgery can interrupt the flow of blood to the ovaries, causing follicles to die. … [Read more...] about Early Menopause: 5 Reasons It Can Happen Sooner Than You Thought

Are You In Menopause? 5 Ways to Tell 1. Do you have abnormally heavy periods? Excessive bleeding is common in women who are nearing menopause, but it may also be caused by uterine fibroids (benign tumors), so check with your doctor. 2. Are your periods irregular? Menstrual irregularity is a hallmark of perimenopause. 3. Have you gained weight recently? Most women put on … [Read more...] about Is it Menopause? Questions to Ask Yourself

Coping with Menopause Talk to anyone who has experienced the upheaval menopause can bring and she’ll tell you it really is life-changing and it’s not necessarily all bad. Menopause wrongly gets the blame for a lot of midlife problems. It’s time to throw out the stereotypes and face menopause with optimism. That means looking at preventive care, such as diet, exercise and … [Read more...] about How to Deal With Menopause: 4 Tips No One Tells You

For better health and better sleep during menopause • Cut down on alcohol and coffee. • Avoid spicy food. • Exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. • Use relaxation techniques such as yoga and breathing exercises. • For insomnia, try eating a light snack before bedtime that is mostly carbohydrates and has a small amount of protein that’s high in … [Read more...] about 3 Major Symptoms of Menopause and How to Cope