When women go through the change of life, it could bring on heart disease as well. The clotting agent fibrinogen (a soluble protein in the blood made by the liver and made insoluble because of damage tissue), increases when a woman is post-menopause; the body experiences less estrogen production and the cholesterol levels changes, thus the change of life. Estrogen is a protective factor against heart disease for women, until menopause, at which time it declines, thereby removing the protection. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center explains the connection between women and heart disease and menopausal changes.
The amount of risk caused by each change is unknown, but in most cases there is a greater risk with each change. Heart disease is two to three times greater after menopause than before. These same risks are in women who have had a hysterectomy as well. More women over the age of sixty die of heart attacks than men; women’s symptoms are different than men and are often mistaken for something less serious.
Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center suggests reduced levels of estrogen caused by stress increase risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stress can cause damage to arteries, thus creating problems. Heart disease includes the narrowing of the arteries that bring oxygen to the heart, inborn defects, diseases of the heart muscles and heart failure. Two hundred and fifty thousand American women die each year from this disease and, as women age the risk increases. It is the leading killer in America.
Doctors in the past, treated women with hormone replacement therapy to prevent heart disease during menopause and post-menopausal. After a study of women and heart disease it was confirmed that this therapy was not the right treatment for heart disease prevention.
A new study revealed that women taking hormone replacement therapy medication containing female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin (synthetic progesterone), health risks exceeded the health benefits and the study was stopped early. There were 161,809 women, ages ranging from 50-79. Breast cancer increased 26%, heart attacks increased 29%, strokes increased 41%, and blood clots increased more than 50%.
However, the study did show 34% fewer hip fractures and there were other benefits. The risk factor s outweigh the benefits. For a short-term treatment, some women may consider HRT, but it should be based on individual health history. To read the full report: Medline Plus-Encyclopedia
There are other things that will help women to adjust to menopause and have a healthy heart. They are to stop smoking, maintain the proper weight, exercise regularly, cut down on the fatty foods, keep an eye on your cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. According to The Nurses Health Study, folic acid, B-6 and B-12 played a role in reducing the risk of heart attack or death among women of heart disease when one group consumed more food and supplements than the other group.
If hormone replacement therapy is chosen, remember to eat healthy and exercise which will maintain healthy heart muscles. Be sure to have regular check-ups and call your health care provider if anything unusual occurs.
By: Carolyn Bell Smith
Posts Tagged ‘Estrogen Production’
Women Menopausal Changes
December 22nd, 2009Information on Menopause in Thai
November 5th, 2009
The amount of information that is available on menopause on the internet is phenomenal.
Many web sites will offer you the choice of language in which you want to view the site.
This includes Thai. Some sites will actually have their materials available in two languages such as Thai or English. Menopause for Thai women occurs in much the same way as for women all over the world. The information provided below is in English but can also be found in Thai.
Symptoms of Menopause
*Information about menopausal symptoms in women is virtually the same as any other sites or countries.*
Menopause is the end of a woman’s period and fertility. Estrogen production as well as progesterone production is low during menopause. The symptoms that may occur include hot flashes and night sweats, headaches, sleeplessness, erratic moods, and vaginal dryness. Your sex drive may drop and intercourse may become uncomfortable.
Sexual problems for men over 50 are not as uncommon as one might think. Problems with erections may occur. A man should be evaluated to be sure that something more is not causing the problem. Most men can be helped.
It is highly recommended that you go to a women’s health center, physician or a nurse practitioner for advice and support. A variety of treatments will be presented for your consideration. You and your medical professional can decide together which of these treatments might best meet your individual needs.
Treatments
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a popular treatment. It is very effective but its use may have some serious risks to the patient. There is an increased occurrence of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, especially for those women who take it more than 5 years. Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
An herbal product used in Thailand is derived from the White Kwao Krua plant. This plant is very high in phytoestrogens-naturally occurring plant estrogens. It is used to help relieve menopausal symptoms. It helps to balance hormone levels in both men and women. There are other herbs specific to Thailand that may also benefit menopausal symptoms
Herbs used in the United States may include Black Cohosh, Red Clover, and Dong Quai to name just a few. Herbal supplements of the highest quality are made with standardized herbal extracts. They are tested extensively including the interaction of the ingredients and the metabolic path of the ingredients at the molecular level.
They are manufactured to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This is to guarantee the consumer that they are getting the same quality not only from capsule to capsule but from bottle to bottle. The safety, purity, and effectiveness are guaranteed as well. Do not add anything to your regimen without talking to your doctor. Some herbs may affect the performance of prescription drugs you may be taking for other conditions.
Conclusion
It must be noted that although the information contained in this article is English. It did come however from a translated version of an article written in Thai. To obtain information in Thai (or any language) go to your search engine and type in Thai Menopause; you will get a long list of sites.
By: John Gibb