What’s wrong with
you, ladies? Why you aren’t even trying to make your post-menopausal life
easier with medication and natural remedies? Why you are suffering silently
without getting support from your doctor, from your family, and your friends? It
is a blessing, not a shame. Deal with it as do with any other physical or mental
requests from your own body!
A full 72 percent of women experiencing menopausal
symptoms have not received treatment for them, according to a 2012 survey by
the Endocrine Society. The poll, conducted in mid-April of the same year,
also found that 60 percent of women exhibiting symptoms of menopause have not
talked to their primary health providers about possible treatment.
The statistics prompted the Endocrine Society and its
Hormone Health Network to develop a so-called Menopause Map — an interactive online quiz that helps women
and their doctors discuss what treatment options (hormonal or nonhormonal)
might be the most effective for them.
Menopausal women who are about to or have already stopped
menstruating may also experience hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, mood swings,
fatigue, depression and vaginal dryness, among others. Although the tool does
not encourage women to pursue one avenue of treatment over another, it prompts
women to consider a range of options to alleviate menopausal symptoms,
including hormone therapy.
This is a simple a straightforward tool to let you understand
the basic changes with your mind and your body and serve as a starting point of
the transition plan development with your potential support circle, which might
include medical professionals, your family members, your friends, meetup support
group, online communities, etc.
Susan Kirk, MD, advisory committee member of the Hormone
Health Network, the society’s public arm that helped launch the program, called
the site “a one-stop-shop for all things menopause to empower and educate women
about the natural changes that occur as she approaches and goes through
menopause, as well as what she might experience after the transition to
becoming post-menopausal.”
“The Menopause Map can be used by women of all ages to
learn more about the hormonal changes that occur during all stages of menopause
which include: preparing for menopause, premature menopause, perimenopause,
menopause, and postmenopause. Women who are currently on this journey should
find it useful, and even fun, to use,” Kirk said.
A section dedicated to health care professionals offers
the ability to download or order printed materials while printable resources
are available for patients to take to their doctor visits.
“Many women sometimes feel embarrassed about discussing
their symptoms with their provider and the Map focuses on starting the dialogue
and more importantly continuing the conversation. The new tool fills a void
because it combines menopause education, peer-to-peer support, and
shared-decision making tools for providers and patients all in one tool,” she
added.
Access the Menopause Map website: http://www.hormone.org/MenopauseMap/
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