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Past Issues
MENOPAUSE –HOW TO COPE
Emmanuel Amonoo
Cytologist - Member of American Society of Clinical Pathologist
It is estimated that in about 25 to 30 years about 1.2 billion women in the world will be in their menopause that occurs when a woman is 50 years or more. They will therefore be dealing with the discomfort of menopause and will also be facing the activities that ensure long life.
When we talk of menopause, what do we exactly mean? This can be said to mean a permanent cessation of menstruation in women, which should normally occurs between the age of 40 and 50 years. The most common effect of menopause on the health and wellness of women according to researchers is the discomfort of hot flashes (the sensation of a wave of heat passing over the body).
It is also believed that as women age, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis have greater impact on their lives. Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a reduction in bone density in addition to porosity and brittleness of the bone. This causes the bone to break easily. It is estimated conservatively that in Illinois approximately one million women have osteoporosis. A large number of women in the third world countries also suffer from osteoporosis.
Cardiovascular disease is a disease that affects the heart and the blood vessels. It is believed that this is the leading cause of death in women, however some people say this is the second cause of death in women next to breast cancer.
What do most women do or should do when confronted with the decisions about treating the discomforts of menopause and ensuring good health and long life? Currently doctors prescribe hormones replacement therapies such as Estrogen or estrogen progestin or estrogen-like drugs.
Besides the drugs, some doctors recommend good and healthy behaviors such as exercise and good nutrition. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been known to have the benefit of protection against the diseases named above. It is also known to greatly improve the condition of hot flashes.
Due to current reports that long-term use of HRT can cause breast cancer, some women are afraid and reluctant to use the above method. This role of HRT is causing breast cancer may be a misconception since there are more than one school of thought about this.
Studies have also shown that HRT can cause side effects such as menstrual bleeding, weight gain and breast tenderness.
To be continued
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