The role of diet:
The following foods are important after the menopause

Women need more calcium after the menopause as they lose bone tissue quicker (which may result in osteoporosis - a condition where bones are brittle and break easily).

Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces oestrogen and progestogens if you have a uterus or oestrogen alone if you have had a hysterectomy.

Oestrogen is very effective in reducing symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Oestrogen is given every day in the form of tablets, patches, gels or implants. If you suffer from vaginal dryness, you can also take oestrogen in the form of vaginal pessaries or creams. Progestogens can be given cyclically (for 12 to 14 days each month) or continuously in the form of tablets or patches.

HRT can occasionally cause side-effects. These include tender breasts, irregular bleeding and, very occasionally, water retention and weight gain. In some women progestogens cause mild depression, irritability and abdominal bloating. Side effects may be related to the type of progestogen as well as the dose, so be sure to talk to your doctor. Altering the dose of either or both hormones will often reduce side-effects.

Other benefits of HRT
Oestrogen is not usually given to women who have recently had breast cancer or who have acute liver disease.

HRT appears to increase the risk of breast cancer but the good news is that the increase is very small and only becomes a factor in women in their 60’s and beyond, if it taken for 10 years or more. Against this very small risk you must weigh the benefits gained from using HRT and the possible reduction in risks, for example, of osteoporosis and heart disease.

It’s important for you to talk with your GP about any problems you have at the time of the menopause. Each woman is different and whether or not you should take hormone therapy depends on your own circumstances.

Phytoestrogens
Many women are asking whether phytoestrogens, which are found in certain plants (e.g. Soya), can help in the menopause. At present, there is little reliable information on these, however they may help some women with menopausal symptoms. It is not known whether they can protect you from osteoporosis.

Remember to examine your breasts once a month (if you’re unsure how to do it properly, ask your doctor or practice nurse) and if you are over 50, have a mammogram every three years. All women over 50 are eligible for free mammograms on the NHS.

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Menopause