Life After Menopause: The Risks

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women. Because of this, you should have cholesterol screenings at least every five years, regardless of age. This should also be done with routine blood pressure tests. Your doctor may also recommend other related tests to check your hearts overall function and its response to different types of stress and activities. A recent study found a correlation between menopause symptoms and risk for heart disease, which found that woman with the worst menopause symptoms have the highest clinical risk for heart disease.

Osteoporosis, as you may know, is the thinning of thosteoporosise bones making them weaker and prone to breakage. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that women should have their bone density tested regularly starting at the age of 65. However, it is also recommended that women with a higher risk for osteoporosis should start screening at the age of 50. Risks factors include early menopause, tobacco use, a small frame or low body mass, history of anorexia, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or a family history of osteoporosis. Bone density screenings are usually non-invasive, outpatient procedures. The two most common tests are ultrasound and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Around the time that you begin menopause screening for colon cancer is a very good idea. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for Americans over the age of 50. A colonoscopy can detect this deadly cancer in its early stages which makes it a good idea to take advantage of this potentially lifesaving procedure. You should talk to your doctor about when to start these examinations and how often they should be conducted.

In one of our previous articles we talked about things that yobreast cancer prevention ribbonu can do to prevent breast cancer. As a review, you should start annual mammograms, if you have not done so. In addition to these screenings, you should conduct a self-breast exam every month. This is especially important after and during menopause as a woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer doubles after the age of 40. To learn more about breast cancer prevention please read "Breast Cancer Prevention".

Menopause can be a trying part of life as you deal with all of the changes that your body goes through. To make sure you live to your full potential after this change, you should make these screenings and tests a part of your life. Don't think of menopause as the end, rather as the beginning of a new chapter in the book of life, and make it a good read.