What Health Conditions Can Menopause Cure?

If you're a woman in her mid to late 40s, you have probably begun dreading the upcoming change of life. According to The Mayo Clinic website, the average woman in the United States reaches menopause by age 51. But menopause can bring more than just hot flashes, tummy fat, and mood swings. In fact, there are several health conditions that menopause can actually cure, giving us something to look forward to in our post-reproductive lives.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign masses that grow either inside or on the outside of the uterus. They thrive on estrogen, which we have lots of in our reproductive years. But once menopause comes, our estrogen levels rapidly decrease, cutting off the life supply to fibroids. So if you have uterine fibroids and they're not causing you any serious medical troubles, sit tight and wait for menopause to cure what ails you.

Endometriosis

The inner lining of our uterus is called the endometrium. This is what sheds and bleeds every month when we have our period. But for some women, the same tissue that makes up the endometrium can implant on other parts of the body like the fallopian tubes or even the sciatic nerve. So every month when they get their period, not only does the lining of the uterus shed, but it also sheds in areas where endometrial tissues are. This condition is called endometriosis, and it can be very painful. But menopause cures endometriosis by ending your periods, thus ending your pain.

PMS

Women don't exactly look forward to their period every month, especially if they suffer from premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Abdominal cramps, fatigue, and bloating don't make for a good day at work let alone a fun night out. But when the change of life comes, it's goodbye periods and goodbye PMS. Menopause can cure PMS better than any bottle of Midol or cup of hot chamomile tea.

The need for birth control

This one alone deserves its own holiday! Imagine having the freedom to be sexually active without the worries of an unwanted pregnancy. Menopause puts an end to ovulation and an end using your birth control pills, IUDs, and diaphragms. However, there is something you still need to keep in mind. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than you think among older adults. So be smart and keep using those condoms for protection.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic, Menopause, July 2011

Tiffany Sharples, More Midlife (and Older) STDs, Time Magazine, July 2, 2008

Murray, Sharron Smith and McKinney, Emily Sloan, (2006) Foundations of Maternal-Newborn and Women's Health Nursing (5 ^th ed) , Saunders-Elsevier, Maryland Heights, Missouri, pp 906, 911-913, and 918-919