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They told you it wasn't true. But they lied.
Menopause really is the beginning of the end. The big shift in reproductive potential signals the end to skating by with annual "well woman" checkups at the gynecologist.
Menopause also is the beginning of midlife - and the time when women have to stop taking good health for granted and start having annual physicals.
"Women need to take better care of themselves beginning around age 45," says Dr. Carole Sofio, Orange, Calif.-based internal medicine specialist. " We need to talk to a physician about our medical and family history. We need to get those baseline tests for the future."
Sofio says she often learns as much about a patient's condition from talking as from examination.
Like admitting the frequent need to void, which can indicate a urinary tract infection. Or acknowledging a wheezing cough that might mask asthma.
"These are not issues discussed during a well-woman checkup," she says.
And those baseline tests? She's talking about the regular lipids and cholesterol panels, the annual mammogram and more.
Like glucose and urine, liver and stools.
And whether your cold feet mean you have a thyroid deficiency.
Family risk factors can include glaucoma, osteoporosis, osteopenia or thinning of the bones and heart problems.
"I also want to know how much you are drinking," Sofio says.
"Although I do believe a little red wine is beneficial. But only one glass for women. Men can have two because they have bigger livers."
They lied about that too. All the talk about gender equality.
SHORTCHANGING THYROID
This butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck controls everything from heart rate to caloric burn. Hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid - starts after age 40 and eventually affects 17 percent of women 60-plus.
VAGINAL DRYNESS
During menopause, thinning of the mucous membranes and a loss of elasticity in the walls of the vagina can make an active sex life uncomfortable for many women. Talk to a physician before using estrogen creams and pills.
COUGH CONTROL
Declining progesterone level can trigger asthma and osteoporosis.
BLADDER BUSINESS
Stress incontinence (call it "leakage") is a side effect of menopause linked to estrogen loss. The solution: the pelvic squeeze exercise to strengthen bladder muscles.
GERD GRIEF
Gastroesophageal reflux disease - aka heartburn - becomes more common after midlife.
JOINT PAIN
After 40, degenerative joint disease becomes more common. Talk to your doctor about calcium and other supplements.
FEELING BLUE
Women, particularly after menopause, are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression.Talk to your doctor about antidepressants.
HEART ACHES
The risk for heart disease (the No. 1 killer of women) increases after menopause. Diet, exercise and hormones all affect the heart. Have regular tests for blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
MAMMOGRAMS
Do them annually. No excuses.
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To learn more about midlife women's health concerns, consider:
Web sites, including www.mayoclinic.com; www.coolnurse.com and totalhealthconcepts.com. Each of these sites includes discussion points on midlife women's health issues.
Some outstanding books on women's health, including "The Wisdom of Menopause" (Bantam) by Dr. Christiane Northrup; "Women Are Not Small Men: Life Saving Strategies for Preventing and Healing Heart Disease in Women" (Ballantine) by Dr. Nieca Goldberg; "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" (DaCapo) by Dr. Susan Love.
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(c) 2006, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.). Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.
