LIFESTYLE CHANGES
The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones:
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
- Dress lightly and in layers
- Eat soy foods
- Get adequate calcium and vitamin D in food and/or supplements
- Get plenty of exercise
- Perform
Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis - Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on (try taking six breaths per minute)
- Remain sexually active
- See an acupuncture specialist
- Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi, or meditation
- Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
Postmenopausal bleeding may occur. This bleeding is often nothing to worry about. However, your health care provider should always check any postmenopausal bleeding, because it may be an early sign of other problems, including cancer.
Decreased estrogen levels are also associated with the following long-term effects:
- Bone loss and eventual
osteoporosis in some women - Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
- You are spotting blood between periods
- You have had 12 consecutive months with no period and suddenly vaginal bleeding or spotting begins again
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