Menopause Article: Menopause Lifeline

"Menopause Lifeline - Answers When You Need Them!"

©2003 Cynthia Denton - All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized duplication in any form is unlawful


Have you spent time searching for the path to follow that
will be in the best interest of your health and well being
now and in the future? 

As an individual, you have a particular set of
circumstances. The "one-size-fits all" for menopause
treatment, or for most other things for that matter, does
not serve you well.

It is vitally important that you search for the solutions to
your own individual menopause challenges and develop your
own plan of action to manage this time of your life
proactively. Credible, current information is important
because it will enable you to make the best decisions for
your health and make it possible to live an active, healthy,
and enjoyable life for decades to come. 

Having time to research all the materials available is
seldom possible with the hectic schedule you and most women
maintain. With only 24 hours in each day, there isn't much
time left after being a mother, wife, daughter, sister,
employee, business owner, community member and friend to do
all the research necessary to find the best resources to
answer the many questions concerning menopause. 

Questions such as:

· Are the symptoms I am experiencing normal?
 
· Are there solutions for these uncomfortable symptoms?
 
· Do my symptoms indicate I am experiencing premenopause,
perimenopause, menopause -- what is the difference?
 
· What are the indications of menopause?
 
· I think I have reached menopause… what now?
 
· Are there natural alternatives to the drugs that are often
prescribed?
 
· Does my diet influence the uncomfortable symptoms I am
experiencing? 

· Are foods available in my local grocery store or health
food store that will help alleviate my aggravating symptoms?

· Are there herbs or other natural approaches that can help?

· If I do agree to hormone replacement therapy, how will it
affect me?
 
· How do I get off HRT with the least amount of discomfort? 

One good way to discover your answers to these questions is
to consult your healthcare professional whether it be
traditional or alternative. It is important to make your
list of questions and concerns prior to meeting with your
healthcare provider. While compiling your discussion list,
write down in clear and brief statements an explanation of
your symptoms. Write down when your symptoms started, how
they affect you and what you have done to try to ease them. 

In order to receive the medical care you want and deserve
during your years of pre through post menopause, it is be
necessary for you to be well informed and assertive.
Knowing what questions to ask your health care professional,
whether it is traditional medicine or alternative/complementary, and being assertive enough to demand good answers, is a responsibility you must take very seriously. 

The following are resources in which you will find good
discussion and information on preparing for your health care
appointments. I urge you to take time to review these sites
and properly gather good information about yourself prior to
your next meeting with your doctor.

· The MayoClinic.com website has a section discussing When
to Seek Medical Advice as it relates to menopause. A review
of this section of the mayoclinic.com site will provide
excellent information as well as questions to ask and the
physical history you should have available for your health
care provider. This information can be accessed at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00119

· HolisticOnline.com has a good discussion of when you
should seek medical attention in a section entitled:
Conditions Requiring Medical Attention.
http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/hrt/hrt_call_doctor.htm

· Power-Surge.com has an excellent article discussing one of
the most important decisions you make when dealing with
menopause entitled: Menopause: Selecting a Health Care
Practitioner.
http://www.power-surge.com/educate/whattoask.htm

Finding a Doctor and Questions to Help Choose a Doctor

If you do not currently have a health care professional you
regularly visit, ProjectAWARE provides two doctor referral
lists. The "Preferred Providers" list contains the names of
healthcare providers-MDs, nurse practitioners, naturopaths,
midwives, and others- who have been recommended to us by
their patients. 

The "Additional Providers" list accommodates other open-
minded professionals who are willing to listen to and work
with the patient regarding the full spectrum of healthcare
options available today. http://www.project-
aware.org/Resource/providers.shtml

ProjectAWARE has also compiled a list of possible questions
to assist you in your search for a doctor. 

Women are now living one third or more of their lives in
menopause. By taking responsibility for your health and
being an active participant along with your healthcare
provider in your own well being, you can minimize many of
the health risks associated with menopause and maintain a
high quality of life throughout your entire lifetime. 

It is vital that you remember that whatever decisions you
make in managing your menopause symptoms, they should always be up for review and change as your body and lifestyle
changes. You and your healthcare provider should continually monitor your health status. 

Women are living and working longer and it is imperative
that you take an active role in maintaining your health and
become better informed about self-care. Using high
quality, reliable resources such as those featured above,
from the 2003 Online Menopause Guide for Women Struggling
with Menopause, illustrate how the Internet can provide a
fast, easy, reliable method to get menopause answers and
stay informed about a variety of health care topics.

Reprinted from The 2003 Online Resource Guide for Women
Struggling With Menopause
http://www.MenopauseResourceGuide.com

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Are you looking for high quality, reliable information upon
which to base important menopause related decisions? For
quality, up-to-date resources on menopause and the symptoms
of menopause, take time to download your free copy of the
2003 Online Menopause Resource Guide for Women Struggling
with Menopause. 

Cynthia Denton has created a convenient, user-friendly, one-
stop location for quick and easy access to the menopause
information you need to make changes to improve your daily
life. 

FREE Menopause Resource Guide:
http://www.MenopauseResourceGuide.com
Cynthia@MenopauseResourceGuide.com

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