Making It Through Menopause With Information and Support

Using the Web is a good way to learn about menopause. You can read about everything from the common issues to the rarer experiences, as well as things you can do to help yourself.

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What are Menopause and Perimenopause?

While menopause is a natural life stage, some women enter the phase earlier than expected, either ... read more »

Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

In this section, you will find Web sites that review the signs of menopause, blood tests for ... read more »

Menopause Symptom Relief

Many women going through menopause experience signs and symptoms that can be uncomfortable but ... read more »

Although menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, health problems can crop up during perimenopause and during postmenopause. Some can be merely unpleasant (sexual side effects or bladder control issues) while others can be life threatening (heart disease and diabetes). In this section, you will find Web sites that review various health issues and what may be done either to prevent them, slow their progress, and/or treat them.

Dulcinea's Insight

Some problems that may occur after menopause can be serious, so it’s best to speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have. The Web is a great place to do your initial research so you can learn what questions to ask your doctor and have an easier time understanding the answers.

Dulcinea's Picks

For information about osteoporosis …

The Hormone Foundation provides this two-page fact sheet in PDF format that reviews bone loss in women during and after menopause. The authors review who is at risk, screening and testing, and treatment options. The first page offers this information in English and the second in Spanish. They also have a fact sheet, entitled “Osteoporosis and Women's Health,” that reviews osteoporosis, risk factors, and prevention and treatment.

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The American Osteopathic Association addresses the need for exercise after menopause. The authors review why exercise is important, how it prevents osteoporosis, and offers some exercise examples.

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To learn more about Osteoporosis, see the findingDulcinea Osteporosis Web Guide.

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For information about heart disease …

The Cleveland Clinic reviews the prevalence of heart disease in women, how it's associated with menopause, how you can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and the benefits and drawbacks of using hormone replacement. Learn why it’s important for women to get Pap tests even after menopause is complete. The site also addresses the issue of depression during perimenopause and menopause, sex drive, and sleep issues.

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To learn more about heart disease, see the findingDulcinea Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide.

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For sexual and other menopause-related issues …

JAMA is the American Medical Association's journal, and it provides patient health information pages for the general public. This page reviews some sexual concerns that many women may have after menopause. This information is also available in Spanish.

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The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse has a Bladder Control for Women Campaign that includes an article, “Menopause and Bladder Control.” Find out how menopause can affect bladder control, what may cause problems with bladder control in older women, and possible treatments. This information is also available in Spanish.

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Mayo Clinic has a patient education sheet for women who have diabetes and are going through menopause. It reviews the similarities of many of the signs and symptoms of menopause and diabetes, and provides suggestions for managing them. Mayo Clinic also provides information on menopause and high blood pressure, vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Finally, the page on the emotional effects of menopause reviews what you may do to help reduce emotional fallout from menopause

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