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4.Stay cool during hot flashes. Avoid things that can cause or increase
intensity of hot flashes, such as hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, hot weather or hot rooms.
5.Ease vaginal dryness. Use of over-the-counter water-based lubricants can be used to ease
discomfort of intercourse due to vaginal dryness.
6.Improve bladder control. You can improve bladder control with exercises. Anyone can do these and at any time.
7.Talk about it. Menopause is a normal, natural part of life. Talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing. Share with your partner know how you are feeling.
8.Relax and de-stress. Stress and a hectic lifestyle can certainly increase and intensify any symptoms you may experience. Relaxing will give you an over-all sense of well-being.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medication-based system of replacing
estrogen and possible progestin lost during menopause. Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) contains estrogen only and is usually prescribed for women who have had surgically-induced menopause. Traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) contains both estrogen and progestin and is usually prescribed for women experiencing natural menopause.
Benefits of HRT
HRT is beneficial in both protecting a woman against
long term effects of menopause as well as treating
immediate symptoms. By replacing
estrogen lost, HRT helps to prevent osteoporosis and may protect against heart disease. In addition, HRT relieves
hot flashes and vaginal dryness that many women experience.
Risks of HRT
In recent studies, women who have undergone HRT have experienced higher incidences of breast and endometrial cancers. For this reason, doctors are being encouraged to prescribe HRT for
shortest amount of time possible, and to encourage women to take other measures to protect against heart disease and osteoporosis.
To prevent bone loss:
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Other treatments for preventing bone loss and osteoporosis (severe loss of bone) include calcium tablets and Vitamin D. These can be taken separately or combined in a pill.
To prevent heart disease:
A healthy diet and regular exercise can help to keep your heart healthy as you age. If your cholesterol is high, however, you may need cholesterol-lowering drugs. These drugs are called
"statin" drugs, such as lovostatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin.
Thus, Physical changes do occur with menopause and with aging. But
changes that happen during this period can be minimized by healthy living and a sense of purpose in life. So start exercising and lead a happy and healthy life.

John Hilton is the contributing editor to www.affordable-prescriptions.md, Please send feedback at john.hilton001@gmail.com