The woman in the menopausal transition goes though physical, mental, emotional and health changes. Primary prevention or early detection of health issues is important and should be emphasized. Key lifestyle changes in diet and exercise, maintaining ideal body weight, being proactive about regular health checkups, carrying our regular mammograms and targeted investigations as deemed necessary (such as DEXA bone density screening) help ease the changes into the postmenopausal era.
Menopausal Hormone therapy (MHT) should be encouraged for the younger postmenopausal woman with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms. A risk-benefit assessment should be carried out prior to its commencement and at regular intervals thereafter.
Non hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms is available. Vaginal estrogen creams which have minimal systemic absorption is available for vaginal and bladder problems especially dryness and atrophy. MHT helps improve BMD (bone mineral density) and treat osteoporosis but should not be considered as the first line therapy for the osteoporotic woman. The risk of MHT on cancers should be carefully evaluated against the background risk of the individual woman.