Postmenopausal Women

 There are several health complications associated with postmenopause. To stay healthy in this new phase of life, it’s important to know about these conditions and engage in ways to reduce your risk. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life. It occurs in middle age when your body stops ovulating, which causes you to stop having monthly menstrual cycles. This shift occurs because of the change of hormones in your body. The average age of menopause for women is 51. You may experience menopause any time in your 40s or 50s, or even in your 60s. The time you go through this change is unique to your body. Generally, menopause is a very normal part of a woman’s life. You may experience menopause prematurely because of surgery, like a hysterectomy, or other factors. Once you are postmenopausal, your hormone levels will remain at a constant low level. You will no longer be able to become pregnant, and you will not experience monthly menstrual cycles. However, some women continue to experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or longer after the menopause transition. As a result of a lower level of estrogen, postmenopausal women are at increased risk for a number of health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Medication, such as hormone therapy and/or healthy lifestyle changes, may reduce the risk of some of these conditions. Since every woman's risk is different, talk to your doctor to learn what steps you can take to reduce your individual risk.