Page 18 - IFV_Issue 11_2022

Health & Wellness

FEELING UNPREPARED

FOR MENOPAUSE?

Take care of yourself by getting more sleep, exercising regularly,
and using stress-control methods to even out your mood swings.

enopause signals the end from woman to woman and which
of a woman’s reproductive require a personalised approach.
Myears. This normally occurs “From this time of life onwards it
between the ages of 45 and 55, though is important for a woman’s health to
it can be experienced by women in be carefully monitored, especially for
their 30s or even in their 60s. Women some conditions that postmenopausal
who have not had their period for 12 women are at greater risk of developing.
consecutive months are generally Menopausal women should practise
considered to be in menopause, which preventative care by regularly going for
is when the ovaries stop producing important health screenings including
the hormones oestrogen and a bone density test, mammogram and
progesterone. breast ultrasound, Pap smear, pelvic
Dr Taheera Hassim, an obstetrician examination, colonoscopy, cholesterol
and gynaecologist practising at and blood sugar screening, as well as a
Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, notes thyroid test.”
that menopause is a natural phase Dr Tahira Hassim
that needs to be supported by healthy BE AWARE OF ASSOCIATED
habits, which can only stand to benefit into your daily life, if you have not CONDITIONS
women as they grow older. already done so, that will support Many women mistakenly believe that
“The effects of changing hormonal you through the process and assist cardiovascular disease tends to be a
levels in the body are not insignificant in lowering your risk of developing male health issue but this is far from the
and women should be aware of various conditions after menopause.” truth. The risk of heart disease escalates
accompanying symptoms, such as with age and studies have found that
hot flushes, disturbed sleep, general BEGIN WITH A VISIT TO YOUR the rate of heart attacks increases for
fatigue, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, DOCTOR women 10 years after menopause. It
irritability and mood swings, slower If you think that you may be starting is believed that the drop in oestrogen
metabolism leading to weight menopause, begin with a visit to your production influences the flexibility and
gain, thinning hair, dry skin and doctor. A blood test may be taken to health of blood vessels.
loss of breast fullness, among other check your levels of specific hormones “This drop in oestrogen can also lead
symptoms,” she says. and your doctor may want to first to the development of osteoporosis,
“Many women are anxious about rule out the possibility of pregnancy, a condition in which bone density
this experience and it is important to which can sometimes be mistaken for starts to decrease, making bones
approach it with self-compassion and menopause in later years. more brittle and susceptible to injury.
an awareness of your mental health, Dr Hassim notes that there are a Postmenopausal women are at a greater
as it is a big life change. There are also number of treatments available to risk of developing osteoporosis than any
a number of steps you can take and relieve severe symptoms and manage other group,” Dr Hassim continues.
constructive behaviours to introduce any associated conditions, which vary “Alcohol consumption has a negative
impact on calcium production, which
can heighten this risk and worsen
“Starting an exercise programme, if you are not existing osteoporosis. Smoking and
poor diet are other contributing factors.
already on one, and eating healthier food can Doing regular weight-bearing exercises
make a big difference.” can go a long way to maintaining and

16 • Issue 11 2022 • The Villager