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Healthy Aging Current Topics in Healthy Aging

Staying Healthy After Menopause

Summary & Participants

A healthy lifestyle can minimize the risks associated with menopause.

Medically Reviewed On: August 06, 2008

Webcast Transcript

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: I recognize menopause as a natural progress of life, but I’m doing so reluctantly. I am kicking and screaming the whole way, so I’m taking a very proactive position.

ANNOUNCER: When a woman reaches menopause, she needs to be proactive to protect her health.

Suzanne LaJoie, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: We worry about heart disease and having cholesterol testing. Breast cancer is another concern, so women should be having a yearly mammogram. We also worry about bone health, so their physician may recommend having a bone density scan.

ANNOUNCER: A healthy lifestyle can help minimize the risks

Suzanne LaJoie, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: Eating low-fat diet, exercising, doing weight-bearing exercises, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, all that contributes to well being.

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: I feel that, if I continue lifting weights, my bone density will stay strong, stay good. Dietary concerns are very, very important. I take vitamins, I take calcium.

ANNOUNCER: Calcium is particularly important for according to the National Institutes of Health, most women over 50 need 15 hundred milligrams of calcium a day. That’s the equivalent of five eight-ounce glasses of skim milk.

Suzanne LaJoie, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: Women can lose a significant amount of bone once they reach menopause. Nutrition is important for your bone health..

ANNOUNCER: Elaine says the best weapon in the battle against aging is knowledge.

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: We can control our health, to some degree. And I think the more proactive a person is and the more information she has about the process of menopause, the better-armed she'll be to fight this war.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.