Monday, January 16, 2012

Menopause Health Risks That Women Should Know

Most women enter menopause in their late 40s or early 50s. Uncomfortable physical and emotional problems are typical symptoms of menopause, to name a few, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and weight gain.

While these symptoms can become severe and affect a woman's quality of life, most of the time they are not life-threatening.

However, women in menopause should be aware of their health risks and take measures to minimize the risk factors as they may be deadly in the long term.

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. The main reason is that after menopause, the levels of estrogen drop significantly in a woman's body. This main female hormone is known to keep the blood vessels and heart healthy. Besides, as a woman ages, the buildup of the plaques in the arteries may cause problems for women by reducing the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the heart.

Cancer

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death for women in the United States. Menopause itself is not linked with an increased risk of cancer. However, the rates of cancer do increase with age.

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