When a woman reaches menopause, she loses the natural protection that the hormone, estrogen, provided her in her younger years.  Once estrogen production slows, then she's vulnerable to many of the same degenerative diseases 

and illnesses that men are susceptible to their whole lives.  And they're also more at risk for other conditions that are uniquely their own.

The major health risk associated with menopause is the increased chances a women now has for developing cardiovascular disease.  This is due, the medical establishment now believes, to the lessened presence of estrogen in the blood.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in their menopausal years.  But don't panic.  There's much that can be done to lessen your chances of developing this condition.  First, if you smoke, quit.  Never think it's too late to quit smoking.  Make sure you visit your health care practitioner to have your blood pressure taken.  High blood pressure has no over symptoms.  You could be walking around with it right now and not know it.  Other preventative measures include eating a diet low in saturated fats and rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

For some women, it's sad by true. Menopause makes them heavy.  Many women complain about gaining weight once they enter this phase of their lives.  Many women discover that they need to eat less food throughout the day, sometimes as many as 200 to 400 fewer calories.  You may also discover that you need to exercise more just to maintain the weight you're currently carrying.

One of the physical consequences of menopause is that the tissues of your vagina and urethra slowly lose their elasticity.  Because of this, you may experience strong, sudden urges to urinate which may be followed by an involuntary loss of urine, called urge incontinence.  You may also be one of the women who lose urine when they cough, laugh or even lift items.  This is called stress incontinence.

Another physical consequence of menopause is the possible loss of bone density due to the hormonal changes in your system.  Indeed, during the first several years following the cessation of menstrual period, you are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis.  This condition causes the bones of the body to turn brittle and weak, which naturally increases your risk of developing fractures.  Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable to fractures of the hip, spine and the wrist. You should visit your health care practitioner for a bone density test as well as taking preventive measures by watching what you eat. 

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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