Osteoporosis
There are two types of bone--compact bone and spongy
bone. The first signs of osteoporosis are seen in
bones that have a lot of spongy bone, such as the
spine, hip, and wrist. Old bone is removed in a process
called resorption, and new bone is formed in a process
called formation. Estrogen--a female hormone--protects
against bone loss. Menopause--Bone loss increases
after meno-pause because the ovaries stop making estrogen,
which protects against bone loss. Slowing bone loss
helps build strong bones. Exercise increases bone
mass before menopause and slows bone loss after menopause.
Bone mineral density tests measure bone mass in the
heel, spine, hip, hand, or wrist. Hormone therapy
slows bone loss after menopause. Starting estrogen
at any time after menopause can help prevent bone
loss.
Hormone
Therapy
At menopause, a woman's body makes less estrogen and
she stops having menstrual periods. The lack of estrogen
can bring on symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal
dryness. It also can increase the risk of osteoporosis
(bone loss). Because of this, women may choose to
take hormone therapy (HT) to restore estrogen after
menopause. Hormone therapy can help prevent some of
the health problems that affect women at menopause.
In women, they are used by the ovaries to make estrogen,
the so-called female hormone. Hormone therapy can
relieve the symptoms of low estrogen levels (hot flushes
and vaginal dryness) and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
Estrogen helps preserve bone and works with other
hormones to increase bone mass. Estrogen also helps
bones absorb calcium, which gives them strength. Hormone
therapy can help relieve some of the symptoms that
affect women at menopause. Hormone Therapy: Treatment
in which estrogen, and often progestin, is taken to
relieve the symptoms caused by the low levels of hormones
produced by the body.
The
Menopause Years
The average age that women go through menopause is
51 years. The ovaries, two glands on either side of
the uterus, make estrogen from puberty until menopause.
One of the earliest and most common signs that menopause
may be approaching is a change in your menstrual periods.
Women may have an increased risk of bladder infection
after menopause. Hormone therapy (HT) can help relieve
the symptoms of menopause. Hormone therapy slows bone
loss after menopause and helps prevent osteoporosis.
In women with a uterus, using estrogen alone can increase
the risk of endometrial cancer because estrogen causes
the lining of the uterus to grow. There is an increased
risk of breast cancer in women who use combined hormone
therapy. Women also can take selective estrogen receptor
modulators (SERMs) to help prevent some of the bone
problems that can occur during menopause. Hormone
Therapy: Treatment in which estrogen, and often progestin,
is taken to relieve the symptoms caused by the low
levels of hormones produced by the body.
Staying
Healthy
They can become involved in their own health care
by having routine screening tests and making healthy
lifestyle choices. This may help prevent health problems
in the years ahead. All women ages 65 and older should
have a physical exam yearly. The exams should include
certain routine tests (see Table 1). Your doctor may
suggest other tests as well. The chart shows leading
causes of death in women ages 65 and older. Routine
screening tests and checkups by your doctor can help
you stay healthy in the years to come. Sometimes staying
healthy includes taking medication. The major benefits
of hormone replacement therapy are that it prevents
osteoporosis and may protect against heart disease-problems
that can have long-term effects on your life and health.
Also, there is a slight chance that use of hormone
replacement therapy may increase the risk of breast
cancer. Hormone Replacement Therapy: Treatment in
which estrogen, and often progestin, is taken to relieve
the symptoms caused by the low levels of hormones
produced by the body.
Alcohol
and Women
All women should know the warning signs of problem
drinking. This pamphlet will help you decide if you
have a drinking problem and show you how to get help.
How does alcohol affect my body? It's a good idea
to know the warning signs of problem drinking. If
you or someone you know has a drinking problem, seek
help. Alcohol slows down your body. Light to moderate
drinking rarely causes harm (see box). Heavy drinking,
though, can cause problems. It may damage the liver
or cause cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure
and death. You may not drink often, but if you drink
too much at one time (binge), you still may have a
problem.
Staying
Healthy at All Ages
Women of all ages can stay healthy by getting regular
health care. Women in certain age groups have special
health care needs. Some women may have risk factors
that require further care. Keeping track of certain
tests-as well as the results of those tests-will help
prevent health problems. Some health problems are
more likely to occur at certain ages (see the boxes
"Leading Causes of Illness in Women" and "Leading
Causes of Death in Women"). Many women have risk factors
that may require further screening tests (Table 2).
Some people are more likely than others to have certain
health problems. Also, where you live, your lifestyle,
and your personal and family medical history play
a role in the type of health care you may need. Immunizations
are injections (shots) that help prevent infections.
Find your age range in the table and see what tests
and immunizations you should have at your age. If
you don't remember when you were last tested or immunized,
your doctor may be able to test you to see if you
are immune to the disease.
Eating
Disorders
In the United States, 7 million women and girls have
eating disorders. The three main types of eating disorders
are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating
disorder. Eating disorders are serious problems. If
not treated, eating disorders can lead to serious
social, emotional, and medical problems-sometimes
death. A person with an eating disorder is obsessed
with food, body weight, and body shape. Anorexia nervosa
(also called anorexia), bulimia nervosa (also called
bulimia), and binge-eating disorder are the three
main types of eating disorders. Binge eating (also
called compulsive eating) may be the most common of
the eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa: An eating
disorder in which distorted body image leads a person
to diet excessively. Binge Eating Disorder: An eating
disorder in which a person eats large amounts of food
while feeling a loss of control over his or her eating.
Bulimia Nervosa: An eating disorder in which a person
binges on food and then forces vomiting or abuses
laxatives.
Maternal
Serum Screening for Birth Defects
Every diet should include proteins, carbohydrates
(sugars and starches), fats, vitamins, and minerals.
The amount of nutrients you need each day is called
the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). On foods that
have labels, you will see a column labeled "% Daily
Value." This column helps you see how the food fits
into your diet by showing the amount of the RDA a
serving supplies. The first step toward healthy eating
is to look at the foods in your daily diet. Eating
a variety of foods each day helps ensure a balanced
diet. The Food Guide Pyramid can help you choose the
foods to plan a balanced diet. Reading all food labels
can help you make smart food choices. Foods in the
carbohydrate group have 4 calories per gram, fats
have 9 calories per gram, and proteins have 4 calories
per gram. Switch from foods high in fat to foods low
in fat.
Exercise
and Fitness: A Guide for Women
Regular physical activity-exercise that is done on
most days-has many health benefits. One of the most
important benefits of regular physical activity is
that it promotes cardiovascular fitness-that is, it
strengthens your heart and circulatory system. Having
a strong, healthy heart helps lower cholesterol and
blood pressure levels-factors that can reduce your
risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps build
and maintain strong bones. Active women have stronger
bones than women who do not exercise. Regular physical
activity may also reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Physical benefits are not all you get with regular
exercise. In fact, even moderate daily physical activity
totalling 30 minutes, which may be spread throughout
the day, can offer health benefits. Aerobic exercise
causes your heart and lungs to work harder and builds
fitness. Exercise resulting in a heart rate above
80% of your maximum heart rate may be too much unless
you're in top physical shape.
Breastfeeding
Your Baby
One of the most special times in a mother's life is
when she is breastfeeding her baby. Breast milk is
nature's perfect baby food. Breastfeeding (also called
nursing) is a good choice for both the baby and the
mother. The colostrum-a yellow, watery pre-milk-that
your breasts make for the first few days after birth
helps your newborn's digestive system grow and function.
Breast milk has antibodies that help your baby's immune
system fight off sickness. The protein and fat in
breast milk are better used by the baby's body than
the protein and fat in formula. Breastfed babies are
at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Bring your baby to your breast-not your breast to
your baby. If you are worried that your baby isn't
getting enough milk, tell the doctor right away and
have the baby's weight checked. Any breast milk is
better than no breast milk.
