BB Fact Sheets – Health – Menopause

Managing Changes in your body

• Menopause is a natural change process in life. Managing the symptoms and any concerns you have as you go through this period can help to reduce any concerns and anxiety.

• Take a moment to consider the changes you will face as your body goes through menopause, and what you might expect to happen.

• Talk to your Doctor and seek information on foods, exercise, and lifestyle changes that may be of help to you in coping with these changes

• Ask about lifestyle changes and treatment choices that may help the symptoms at an early stage of menopause

Baby Boomers and Menopause

• The most common age in Australia for Baby Boomer women to go through Menopause is between their late 40’s and late 50’s, although some women have Early Menopause (before 45).

• Baby Boomer women have changed attitudes to Menopause by viewing it as a time of “Transition” and focusing on positive aspects of this time in their life. Women in their late 40’s and late 50’s are leading busy lives today and taking this stage of life in their stride.

What can I do?

• Get to know your own body and keep an eye out for any changes. If you feel you might be going through Menopause, talk to your Doctor

• Chat to your Doctor if you are worried about Menopause, or give this information to someone you think may benfit from reading it

• Maintaining a healthy diet may be helpful in managing the symptoms of Menopause

  • Eats lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals and whole grains

  • Drink up to eight glasses of water daily

  • Reduce your caffeine intake (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate)

  • Reduce your alcohol intake to one to two standard glasses, or less, per day

  • Try to introduce high-calcium, low-fat dairy foods into your diet

  • Eat lean meat, fish or chicken 

  • Phytoestrogens such as found in soy and linseed, legumes, tofu and whole grains may help to reduce the symptoms as they replace some natural oestrogens lost during menopause

• Participating in regular physical activity may also help to manage the symptoms of Menopause

  • Try to exercise for 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity to maintain general health, control weight and help keep bones healthy

• Avoid smoking

  • Think about what smoking is doing to your body and think about giving up. Call the Quitline on 131 848 or visit www.quit.org.au

• Manage your emotional health

  • During Menopause you may experience changes in mood such as mild depression and irritability, often related to physical changes like hot flushes, night sweats and interrupted sleep. Talk to your Doctor or a health practitioner about controlling the physical symptoms to help improve your general wellbeing

• Have regular Pap tests and breast checks

  • See your Doctor for a Pap test every two years and regularly check your breasts.

  • Mammograms testing is provided often free if you’re over 40 years of age – phone BreastScreen on 132 050 or visit their website at:

                           http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening

• Talk to your Doctor about therapies that may help you manage symptoms

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - Hormone replacement therapy may help to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause, but all treatment has side effects. This is a individual decision in discussion with your Doctor concerning the risks, benefits, concerns and other alternatives. It is recommended that all women using HRT are reviewed once a year by their Doctor

  • Natural therapies – talking to a qualified naturopath in conjunction with your doctor may provide guidance on natural therapies for managing the symptoms of Menopause, as some natural herb and plant medications can have side effects.

  • Always talk to your Doctor and if involved a naturopath, about all of the therapies you are undertaking so they know exactly what each has prescribed

Healthdirect Australia - NSW, WA, SA, ACT,NT, TAS - 1800 022 222

Nurse on Call - VIC                                                      -1300 60 60 24

Multicultural Information:

Health In Site LOTE - http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Languages_Other_Than_English

Multicultural Health  -  http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/mhcs/topics.html#a

Indigenous Australians:

Health Info Net       - http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/

Menopause - Women’s Health Resources list - http://www.managingmenopause.org.au/172/202/

Managing Menopause – Sexuality                 - http://www.managingmenopause.org.au/81/91/

Women’s Health                                            - http://www.jeanhailes.org.au

Latest research on (HRT)                              - http://www.whv.org.au/factsheets/hrt.htm

Multilingual fact sheets for women                 - http://www.managingmenopause.org.au/135/155/
Womens health issues                                 - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp162.cfm

Australasian Menopause Society - http://www.menopause.org.au/

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical advice. Please see your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health.

This article was created by Elisabeth Watkins for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's website for Baby Boomers. Sources include managing Menopause and the Federal Government. Babyboomers.com.au is an online resource to help people find information and services on health, money, travel and recreation