Complication

  Several chronic medical conditions can develop after menopause, such as Cardiovascular disease, Osteoporosis, Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer, Urinary incontinence, Weight Gain.

Health risks

Estrogen contributes to the function of many organs. Therefore, the declining levels of hormones may pose certain health dangers. Here are some of the health risks you may face and the preventive measures you can take to minimize them.

DANGER 1: HEART DISEASE

The loss of estrogen seems to have a negative effect on women’s circulatory systems, as a result stepping up the risk of heart disease. You can reduce the risks by making these simple lifestyle changes:

• Stop Smoking. Smoking increases the possibility of blood clot formation, irregular heart beat and coronary spasms. It also affects the lining of the arteries, causing them to narrow as cholesterol increases.
• Maintain Optimal Weight. Being overweight can increase your risks of heart disease. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will help maintain an ideal body weight.
• Diabetes Check. An individual is twice as likely to contract heart disease if they have a diabetic condition. Thus it is important to monitor one’s blood glucose levels and maintain an ideal body weight.
• Stress Control. Stress is very unhealthy for the body. Keep stress levels low through relaxation techniques and hobbies.

DANGER 2: OSTEOPOROSIS

When estrogen production falls during menopause, women begin to lose bone strength and density dramatically. Bones become brittle and fragile, fracturing easily. These are some ways to minimize risk:

• Maintain A Healthy Diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink more water. Increase your calcium intake to about 1000 to 1500 mg per day to help build and maintain healthy bones.
• Exercise Regularly. Regular exercise will help to increase bone mass and promote bone growth.

Include weight bearing and resistive exercises in your daily activities to improve flexibility and coordination. Weight bearing exercises are those in which the bones and muscles work against gravity; such as jogging, walking, stair-climbing and dancing. Resistive exercises such as weight lifting involves muscular strength to improve muscle mass and strengthen bone.

• Drink Less Alcohol. High alcohol consumption has been linked to poor absorption of calcium. It also interferes with the liver’s ability to use vitamin D.

For in-dept information about Osteoporosis, See Osteoporosis.

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