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Hormone Therapy
At menopause, a woman's body makes less estrogen and she stops having menstrual periods. The lack of estrogen can bring on symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness. It also can increase the risk of osteoporosis (bone loss). Because of this, women may choose to take hormone therapy (HT) to restore estrogen after menopause. Hormone therapy can help prevent some of the health problems that affect women at menopause. In women, they are used by the ovaries to make estrogen, the so-called female hormone. Hormone therapy can relieve the symptoms of low estrogen levels (hot flushes and vaginal dryness) and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen helps preserve bone and works with other hormones to increase bone mass. Estrogen also helps bones absorb calcium, which gives them strength. Hormone therapy can help relieve some of the symptoms that affect women at menopause. Hormone Therapy: Treatment in which estrogen, and often progestin, is taken to relieve the symptoms caused by the low levels of hormones produced by the body

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Osteoporosis
There are two types of bone--compact bone and spongy bone. The first signs of osteoporosis are seen in bones that have a lot of spongy bone, such as the spine, hip, and wrist. Old bone is removed in a process called resorption, and new bone is formed in a process called formation. Estrogen--a female hormone--protects against bone loss. Menopause--Bone loss increases after meno-pause because the ovaries stop making estrogen, which protects against bone loss. Slowing bone loss helps build strong bones. Exercise increases bone mass before menopause and slows bone loss after menopause. Bone mineral density tests measure bone mass in the heel, spine, hip, hand, or wrist. Hormone therapy slows bone loss after menopause. Starting estrogen at any time after menopause can help prevent bone loss

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Understanding Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy-the removal of the uterus-is a way of treating problems that affect the uterus. Because it is major surgery, your doctor may suggest trying other treatments before hysterectomy. For severe conditions-and those that have not responded to other treatment-a hysterectomy may be the best choice. The choice depends to some extent on the effect of the condition, and the surgery, on your life. A woman may have pain or heavy bleeding. Hysterectomy may be done to treat conditions that affect the uterus. The pelvic organs before (left) and after (right) the uterus is removed. Your condition may be treated with medicine or various types of surgery, including hysterectomy. Fibroids that press against the lining of the uterus may cause irregular or heavy bleeding. Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue similar to that normally lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, usually in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures

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Detecting and Treating Breast Problems
Your breasts are always changing. They change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause (when menstrual periods end). One major problem, breast cancer, remains one of the leading causes of death in women. Mammography is a way to detect changes in the breast tissue by X-ray. If you have an increased risk of breast cancer (see box), your doctor may suggest you have this test done more often or before age 40. Mammography is vital for all women, regardless of breast size or if you have breast implants. Most breast lumps (about 90%) are found through breast self-exams. Routine exams become even more important after menopause because the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in women aged 34-50. If breast cancer is found and treated early, most women can be cured. This is why routine breast self-exams, mammography, and checkups by your doctor are vital. If you have found a lump in your breast or the results of your mammography are not normal, other tests may be used to help diagnose breast problems.

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Endometrial Hyperplasia
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition that occurs when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows too much. Some women are at higher risk of hyperplasia. Endometrial hyperplasia can be treated, and women at risk can take steps to protect against it. Endometrial hyperplasia is more likely to occur in certain women. The female hormones-estrogen and progesterone-control the changes in the uterine lining. Estrogen without enough progesterone may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken. After you have been taking progesterone, the lining of the uterus may be tested again by endometrial biopsy. If you take estrogen after menopause, you need to take a form of progesterone to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer of the uterus. They may help protect against endometrial hyperplasia in women who don't have regular periods. Women at risk can take steps to protect against endometrial hyperplasia.

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Eating Disorders
In the United States, 7 million women and girls have eating disorders. The three main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious problems. If not treated, eating disorders can lead to serious social, emotional, and medical problems-sometimes death. A person with an eating disorder is obsessed with food, body weight, and body shape. Anorexia nervosa (also called anorexia), bulimia nervosa (also called bulimia), and binge-eating disorder are the three main types of eating disorders. Binge eating (also called compulsive eating) may be the most common of the eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa: An eating disorder in which distorted body image leads a person to diet excessively. Binge Eating Disorder: An eating disorder in which a person eats large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over his or her eating. Bulimia Nervosa: An eating disorder in which a person binges on food and then forces vomiting or abuses laxatives.

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Pelvic Support Problems
Many women's pelvic organs change as they age. They may have a feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness. These symptoms may be caused by pelvic support problems. Many women suffer from pelvic support problems. The right diagnosis and treatment can offer relief from pelvic support problems. The parts of the body affected by pelvic support problems include the urethra and bladder, the small intestine, the rectum, the uterus, and the vagina. When the tissues that support the pelvic organs are stretched and damaged, the organ that they support may drop down and press against the wall of the vagina. A pessary may be inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Treatment of pelvic support problems may involve special exercises or insertion of a special device called a pessary. Surgery may relieve some, but not all, of the symptoms caused by pelvic support problems.

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Reducing Your Risk of Cancer
A healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward reducing the risk of cancer. Taking notice of changes in your body and having certain screening tests can help find cancer early-when it is easiest to treat. A healthy lifestyle, screening tests, and regular checkups all can help lower your risk of cancer. Tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). In cancer, certain cells (top) develop abnormally and begin to grow out of control (bottom). Different cancers have different risk factors, warning signs, and treatments. To help detect breast cancer, women should examine their breasts at home every month. Certain women who are at high risk for breast cancer may reduce their risk by taking tamoxifen. Signs of more advanced cervical cancer may include unusual vaginal discharge, abnormal bleeding, and bleeding after sex. A healthy lifestyle, screening tests, and regular check-ups all can help lower your risk of cancer.

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Cancer of the Uterus
Tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread (or metastasize) to other parts of the body and form new tumors. As soon as a malignant tumor is found, your doctor can begin treatment to control the disease. Most types of uterine cancer are adenocarcinomas. Sarcomas are another type of uterine cancer. These women may be at risk for cancer of the uterus. Women who have used these pills have a lower risk of uterine cancer. The main symptoms of uterine cancer are abnormal bleeding, spotting, or discharge from your vagina. Chemotherapy or progestin (a hormone) therapy may be used to treat uterine cancer that has spread to other organs.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
The menstrual period is the time during a woman's cycle when bleeding occurs. Bleeding may last up to 7 days. When the menstrual cycle is not regular, bleeding lasts longer or is heavier than normal, or bleeding occurs between periods, it is known as abnormal uterine bleeding. Once the cause is found, abnormal uterine bleeding often can be treated with success. The menstrual period begins with the first day of the bleeding of one period and ends with the first day of the next period. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone-two hormones made by the ovaries-cause changes in the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Abnormal uterine bleeding may be caused by problems in the lining of the uterus. Abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding may occur because of hormonal problems. Some women with abnormal uterine bleeding will have surgery to remove growths (such as polyps or fibroids) that are causing the bleeding. Endometrial ablation is another method for treating abnormal uterine bleeding.