A major symptom of menopause is weight gain. It is hormonal changes as well as aging which are the possible factors in this weight gain. Besides, all perimenopausal as well as postmenopausal women should always see their health care practitioner each year and undergo a full physical exam, which should include a breast exam, pelvic exam, as well as a mammogram. Women also need to learn about the risk factors for heart disease as well as colon cancer from their health care professional, and should consider being screened for these diseases also.
Women who are still menstruating and are sexually active also, face the risk of becoming pregnant. Hence, birth control pills which contain low doses of estrogen can be useful for such perimenopausal women in order to prevent pregnancy. These pills will also help to relieve perimenopausal symptoms, like hot flashes.
Not only this, over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications help to bring relief from the symptoms of menopause. Besides, lifestyle changes such as diet as well as exercise help to control hot flashes as well as other menopausal symptoms. These also include symptoms such as high cholesterol and bone loss. Menopause is not a disease. Hence there is no definitive cure or treatment. The health care practitioners can offer a variety of treatments for hot flashes as well as other menopausal symptoms. Many prescription medications exist in order to prevent as well as control high cholesterol and bone loss, which tends to occur at menopause.
For hot flashes, several nonprescription treatments are available, and a change in lifestyle choices can definitely help. Besides, regular aerobic exercise can help to reduce hot flashes. Then there are foods that may trigger hot flashes, like spicy foods, caffeine, as well as alcohol. All these should be avoided.
A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is quite helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. Regular exercise helps in controlling weight, another symptom of menopause.