Because stress can make the symptoms of menopause worse, it is important to learn how to relax. In order to learn how to relax, you need to become familiar with your own breathing patterns and change them in ways that will help you relax. Your brea

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The years following menopause is called postmenopause. During this time, many of the symptoms of menopause ease for most women. But, as a result of several factors including a lower level of estrogen, postmenopausal women are at increased risk for a

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In its early stages, ovarian cancer has few symptoms. The first sign of ovarian cancer is usually an enlarged ovary. The ovaries are located deep within the pelvic cavity, so swelling may go unnoticed until it becomes more advanced. Symptoms of mor

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Menopause itself is not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. However, the rates of many cancers, including ovarian cancer, do increase with age. In addition, some of the drugs used to manage menopausal symptoms may increase or decr

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The symptoms and health risks of premature menopause as well as the emotional issues that may result from it can be managed with the methods similar to those used for natural menopause. Women dealing with infertility that is brought on by premature m

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First, your doctor will most likely perform a physical exam and draw blood to rule out other conditions, such as pregnancy and thyroid disease. He or she may also order a test to measure your estradiol levels. Low levels of estradiol, a form of estro

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In the U.S., the average age of onset for "natural" menopause is 51. However, because of genetics, illness, or medical procedures, some women go through menopause before the age of 40. Menopause that occurs before this age, whether natural

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Plant-based foods that contain isoflavones (plant estrogens) work in the body like a weak form of estrogen and may help relieve menopausal symptoms. Some may help lower cholesterol levels and have been suggested to relieve hot flashes and night sweat

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Some risk factors associated with aging and menopause cannot be changed. However, healthy eating can help prevent or reduce certain conditions that may develop during and after menopause. What Are Some Basic Dietary Guidelines? Eat a variety of f

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For the test, you may be asked to wear a hospital gown. You will then lie on your back, on a padded table, in a comfortable position. The lumbar spine (lower back) and the hip are the skeletal sites usually examined by bone densitometry. The proc

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Bone mineral density testing, also known as bone densitometry, quickly and accurately measures the amount of calcium in certain parts of your bones. From this information, your doctor can determine how strong your bones are. The test is used to det

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First, your doctor will obtain a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. Your urine will also be tested for signs of infection or other problems. In addition, your doctor may recommend that you keep a v

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Also called urinary incontinence, bladder control problems are common in women going through menopause. But, there are many options available to treat bladder control problems. How Does Menopause Affect Bladder Control? During and after the proce

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When you begin to notice the signs of menopause, either you'll suspect the approach of menopause on your own, or your doctor will put two and two together when you report your symptoms. Two very simple tests can accurately determine what's going on a

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What Conditions Cause Premature Menopause? Premature menopause can be the result of genetics, autoimmune disorders or medical procedures. Here are some other conditions that may cause early menopause. Premature ovarian failure. Normally, th

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Natural menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation that is not brought on by any type of medical treatment. For women undergoing natural menopause, the process is gradual and is described in three stages: Perimenopause. Perimenopause b

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What Is Menopause? Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. The term menopause is commonly used to describe any of the changes a woman experiences either just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of

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Often your doctor can make the diagnosis based on your symptoms. Blood tests to check hormone levels may also be beneficial but may be difficult to evaluate due to erratic fluctuations of hormones during this period. It may be more helpful to have se

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Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the stage of a woman's reproductive life that begins several years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in the 30s as

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Currently, there are not any good drugs to treat sexual problems in women. Estrogen replacement may work, but research has yielded conflicting results regarding its effectiveness. Estrogen can, however, make intercourse less painful by treating vagin

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The loss of estrogen following menopause can lead to changes in a woman's sexual functioning. Menopausal women may notice that they are not as easily aroused, and may be less sensitive to touching and stroking -- which can result in decreased interes

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During fetal life, there are about 6 million to 7 million eggs. From this time, no new eggs are produced. The vast majority of the eggs within the ovaries steadily die, until they are depleted at menopause. At birth, there are approximately 1 milli

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Females of reproductive age experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month intervals. (Menstru means "monthly"; hence the term menstrual cycle.) With every cycle, a woman's body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whe

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The female reproductive system is designed to carry out several functions. It produces the female egg cells necessary for reproduction, called the ova or oocytes. The system is designed to transport the ova to the site of fertilization. Conception, t

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Natural menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation that is not brought on by any type of medical treatment. For women undergoing natural menopause, the process is described in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Howeve

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  There are many steps you can take to get yourself sleeping soundly through the night. Here are some tips. Do not nap during the day. Exercise daily. However, be sure to avoid vigorous exercise 3 hours before bedtime. Avoid

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Many women going through menopause often experience insomnia, an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. This is a normal side effect of menopause and is usually caused by symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. I Am Not Sleeping Well

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  While there is growing evidence to suggest that hormone therapy (HT) can relieve emotional symptoms, HT alone is not effective in treating more severe depression. Antidepressant drug therapy and/or psychotherapy may be necessary. I Have a H

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  Irritability and feelings of sadness are the most common emotional symptoms of menopause. Often, they can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as learning ways to relax and reduce stress. Here are some tips that may make it easier for

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