Annie
02-15-2007, 07:32 PM
By Ethan Miller
Myths about menopause are born from drug ads and diet books, to
unenlightened doctors and well-wishers. There is so much
written about menopause and women’s health that it is becoming
difficult to decipher the truth from the ad copy meant to sell
another drug.
This article attempts to introduce you to some of the most
common myths.
The first myth is that natural hormones are better than
traditional hormone therapy. Advocates of well-being products
and organic supplements parade this myth before the population.
At this point there has not been enough research to prove, or
disprove, this theory.
Women loosing it when they have menopause is the second most
common myth. In truth, only a small number of women suffer the
common hot flashes, memory loss, and depression of menopause.
Even those who do suffer rarely suffer long time problems.
Finally, there is no proof at all that supports the myth that
women are doomed to ‘loose it’ and fall into a depression.
Good news is that women will not loose interest in sex during
menopause. Sexual desire fluctuates through our entire lives,
in both men and women. Many medications will interrupt the
body’s natural functions, including the reproductive cycles.
A few women will experience vaginal dryness, irritation and
pain with penetration during and after the menopause
transition. This discomfort is easily dealt with by using a
vaginal moisturize or lubricant.
If the lack of sex is disturbing to the woman and her partner,
then local estrogen (in cream, vaginal tablets or a ring) may
help. However, because of the known harmful effects, estrogen
is only recommended at the lowest dose needed, for the shortest
time needed.
One dangerous myth is that breast cancer is only hereditary.
Approximately 70 per cent of all women who develop breast
cancer have no family history.
Common sense is replaced by hysteria as heart disease looses
its gender basis. The statistics prove that heart disease is
as common in women as it is in men. This has lead to a myth
that women with high-cholesterol, but no heart disease, should
still take cholesterol-lowering drugs.
These drugs are popular, but there is currently no randomized,
controlled trial that proves these drugs help women who do not
show symptoms of heart disease. However, there are reports that
prove women can reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising
regularly, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, and quitting
smoking.
More and more is known about diet and women’s health. A
woman’s health is no longer bound to the years she has lived,
but by her body’s health. This means that there are many women
in their fifties who are at less risk for heart disease than
many women who are still in their twenties.
This goes hand in hand with societies push toward using
medication to solve all our problems. Women are falling into a
mindset that drugs will solve all our problems. In reality,
most drugs are designed to alleviate the symptoms, not cure the
disease.
A cholesterol-lowering drug can reduce cholesterol, but eating
right will accomplish the same objective in many cases.
Menopause is a life stage that all women must face. They need
to take responsibility for their own health, and look to
supplements, lifestyle changes, and medical help that will work
for them.
About The Author: Ethan Miller advises on health and wellbeing
from his web site at http://www.acnerescue.com. He invites you
to get his FREE health guide http://www.acnescarsmagic.com
Myths about menopause are born from drug ads and diet books, to
unenlightened doctors and well-wishers. There is so much
written about menopause and women’s health that it is becoming
difficult to decipher the truth from the ad copy meant to sell
another drug.
This article attempts to introduce you to some of the most
common myths.
The first myth is that natural hormones are better than
traditional hormone therapy. Advocates of well-being products
and organic supplements parade this myth before the population.
At this point there has not been enough research to prove, or
disprove, this theory.
Women loosing it when they have menopause is the second most
common myth. In truth, only a small number of women suffer the
common hot flashes, memory loss, and depression of menopause.
Even those who do suffer rarely suffer long time problems.
Finally, there is no proof at all that supports the myth that
women are doomed to ‘loose it’ and fall into a depression.
Good news is that women will not loose interest in sex during
menopause. Sexual desire fluctuates through our entire lives,
in both men and women. Many medications will interrupt the
body’s natural functions, including the reproductive cycles.
A few women will experience vaginal dryness, irritation and
pain with penetration during and after the menopause
transition. This discomfort is easily dealt with by using a
vaginal moisturize or lubricant.
If the lack of sex is disturbing to the woman and her partner,
then local estrogen (in cream, vaginal tablets or a ring) may
help. However, because of the known harmful effects, estrogen
is only recommended at the lowest dose needed, for the shortest
time needed.
One dangerous myth is that breast cancer is only hereditary.
Approximately 70 per cent of all women who develop breast
cancer have no family history.
Common sense is replaced by hysteria as heart disease looses
its gender basis. The statistics prove that heart disease is
as common in women as it is in men. This has lead to a myth
that women with high-cholesterol, but no heart disease, should
still take cholesterol-lowering drugs.
These drugs are popular, but there is currently no randomized,
controlled trial that proves these drugs help women who do not
show symptoms of heart disease. However, there are reports that
prove women can reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising
regularly, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, and quitting
smoking.
More and more is known about diet and women’s health. A
woman’s health is no longer bound to the years she has lived,
but by her body’s health. This means that there are many women
in their fifties who are at less risk for heart disease than
many women who are still in their twenties.
This goes hand in hand with societies push toward using
medication to solve all our problems. Women are falling into a
mindset that drugs will solve all our problems. In reality,
most drugs are designed to alleviate the symptoms, not cure the
disease.
A cholesterol-lowering drug can reduce cholesterol, but eating
right will accomplish the same objective in many cases.
Menopause is a life stage that all women must face. They need
to take responsibility for their own health, and look to
supplements, lifestyle changes, and medical help that will work
for them.
About The Author: Ethan Miller advises on health and wellbeing
from his web site at http://www.acnerescue.com. He invites you
to get his FREE health guide http://www.acnescarsmagic.com