Any Global Gals experiencing peri-menopause or menopause symptoms? Any Global Gals have questions about what may be coming in a few years? Dr. Kathryn Macaulay volunteered her time for our Global Gals Gathering on June 8. Keep reading for valuable information and links to learn more of how to stay healthy during menopause.
Attendees: Janice, Leigh, Sharon, Jen, Megan, Andi, Kim, Vicki, Debbie, Alexis, Kristin, Nina, Shea, Suzanne, Sandra, Julie
Menopause is the cessation of menses. If a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, then she is in menopause. If you have a period after 11 months, you begin the countdown again.
Our discussion covered many areas of peri-menopause and menopause. Dr. Macaulay provided a handout/PowerPoint presentation entitled “Staying Healthy at Menopause: Tips to Preserve Your Good Health During Midlife and Beyond” which can be found here.
Highlights of our discussion:
- Hormone testing not necessary. Hormone levels vary by day and throughout the day.
- Mood changes can occur especially in peri-menopause.
- Estrogen in vagina is safe. Helps with discomfort during intercourse. Vaginal estrogen tablets, cream, or a estrogen ring can be helpful. Better to get help early on because dry vagina is hard to reverse.
- Exercise is important to maintain weight.
- Correct levels of Vitamin D and Calcium vital after menopause. Eat proper foods and balanced diet.
- Bone density test at age 65. Weight bearing exercise helps keep bones strong such as yoga, running, weights/strength training.
- Age 50 is the time to get a colonoscopy.
- Pap smears are okay every 3 years to check for cervical cancer. Unless otherwise instructed by doctor.
- Pharmica: a natural pharmacy that has naturopaths on staff to answer questions about supplements.
Kathryn Macaulay, MD, is the Director of UCSD’s Menopause Health Program. She does take new patients, so feel free to make an appointment with her! You can view a 2015 presentation on UCSD.tv on Youtube. Play the video below.
Again, here are the PowerPoints slides Staying Healthy in Menopause FINAL.
Thanks, Kathryn, for your time. We’d like to have you back again soon because we could talk about this topic for hours!
Your gal, Julie