AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Health issues

1.    Family History

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Menopause itself is not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. However, scientific research shows that the rate of many cancers increases with age. In addition, some of the drugs used to manage menopausal symptoms may increase or decrease a woman’s cancer risk.

You have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer if you:

• Have a family history of ovarian cancer
• Have never been pregnant
• Late menopause (after age 55)
• Having first child after age 30

2.    Menopause and Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are disorders of the heart and circulatory system. These cardiovascular disorders include thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, angina, and stroke. Scientific studies found that estrogen help prevent women from having heart disease during their child bearing years.

After menopause, women are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because the fats in the blood change after menopause. These fats are known as lipids, they are used as a source of fuel for all cells. The amount of lipids per unit of blood determines a person’s cholesterol count. As we know, there are two components of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lo density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The bad cholesterol is the LDL. It plays an important role by encouraging fats to deposit on the artery walls, which eventually clog them. In postmenopausal women, LDL appears to increase while HDL decreases. This is a direct result of estrogen deficiency. Increasing in LDL level and total cholesterol in blood can lead to stroke, heart attack and death.

3. Why regular check up is important?

PAP test

PAP test is also known as pap-smear. It is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix. The aim of PAP test is to detect cancer or abnormal cells that may lead to cervical cancer. The test may also help to identify any non-cancerous conditions such as infection and inflammation.

A PAP test has to be performed by trained healthcare professionals such as; doctors, nurses or midwives. It can be done at a hospital, or at a doctor’s clinic.

Even if you are menopausal or postmenopausal, you should continue to have a regular PAP test as it can prevent most invasive cancers of the cervix.

Pelvic Examination

A pelvic examination is a complete physical exam of a woman’s pelvic organs performed by a trained health professional. It helps a doctor to evaluate the actual size and position of the vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries. This test is done to help detect certain cancers in their early stages, infections, sexually transmitted disease (STDs) or other reproductive system problems.

Breast examination

Age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer. The chances of developing breast cancer increase with age. About 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over the age of 50, and almost half are age 65 and older. Therefore, it is very important for postmenopausal women to get a regular breast examination.

4.    Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is one of the most important health concerns for postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become thin, fragile and easy to fracture. In the past decade, many scientific studies have proved the link of estrogen deficiency to this disease.

To learn more about Osteoporosis, please see the link to our Osteoporosis section.