Major Health Concerns for Women After Menopause

Unfortunately, I had to undergo a radical hysterectomy when I was in my mid-thirties. Because of the loss of my ovaries, I began to go through menopause almost immediately after surgery - - at least it seemed that way from the hot flashes and night sweats I started having the very next week. My doctor prescribed HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for the menopause symptoms. She also gave me pamphlets to educate myself on the health risks associated with menopause. I found that there are several major and, possibly life threatening, health concerns associated with menopause.

1. Heart Disease

As a woman reaches the age of menopause (about fifty years old), her risk of developing heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, increases. This is because a woman's risk of heart disease increases with age and coincides with the onset of menopause. Furthermore, women who have undergone surgical menopause and who do not take estrogen are also at a higher risk for developing heart disease. Although there have been reports that taking estrogen will reduce the risk of heart disease in young women who have undergone surgical menopause, recent studies find that this may not be as accurate as once thought.

2. Osteoporosis

Menopause is characterized by the reduction and eventual loss of estrogen production within the ovaries. On the other hand, in my cause, surgical removal of the ovaries stops estrogen production dead in its tracks. The loss of estrogen actually increases the rate of bone loss; however, hormone replacement therapy has been shown to help protect bone mass. As a woman ages, it is important to make sure that calcium intake and/or calcium supplements are monitored to help prevent the development of osteoporosis. There are some medications on the market now, such as Boniva, Fosamax or Actonel, that claim to help prevent osteoporosis.

3. Depression

Women who have never experienced depression before are still at an increased risk of developing depression right before or during menopause. Of course, changes in hormones do play a role in this risk; however, the other dramatic changes that women experience during menopause also play a role in depression. Women are struggling with physical and emotional changes during perimenopause and menopause that can be difficult to handle thereby contributing to depression. Women should be aware of the symptoms of depression and report any of these to their physicians immediately.

4. Stoke

Some current studies have shown that women, who experience early menopause, before the age of 42, are at a greater risk of stroke. This would lead one to the assumption that the loss of estrogen could be linked to an increase risk of stroke. Although, some experts disagree with the findings it is still prudent for women entering menopause early to seek the advice of a physician specializing in this area.

5. Breast and uterine cancer

Older age is a risk factor for developing uterine cancer; therefore, women who have undergone menopause should be aware of their risk and be vigilant in taking steps to prevent uterine cancer such as yearly screenings and knowing the symptoms of uterine cancer. The average age of a uterine cancer patient is 60 years old with only 10% of uterine cancer patients being under the age of 40 at the time of diagnosis. Breast cancer risks also rise with age and there are studies that suggest that HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can affect the risks of breast cancer. Women who are near or past menopause should discuss all of their options with their physicians, including other risk factors for breast cancer, to determine what steps they should take to prevent or detect breast cancer.

Sources: WebMD.com

MedicineNet.com

CancerAnswers.com