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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. 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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The Menopause Years
The average age that women go through menopause is 51 years. The ovaries, two glands on either side of the uterus, make estrogen from puberty until menopause. One of the earliest and most common signs that menopause may be approaching is a change in your menstrual periods. Women may have an increased risk of bladder infection after menopause. Hormone therapy (HT) can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Hormone therapy slows bone loss after menopause and helps prevent osteoporosis. In women with a uterus, using estrogen alone can increase the risk of endometrial cancer because estrogen causes the lining of the uterus to grow. There is an increased risk of breast cancer in women who use combined hormone therapy. Women also can take selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) to help prevent some of the bone problems that can occur during 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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Staying Healthy
They can become involved in their own health care by having routine screening tests and making healthy lifestyle choices. This may help prevent health problems in the years ahead. All women should have a physical exam yearly. The exams should include certain routine tests (see Table 1). Your doctor may suggest other tests as well. The chart shows leading causes of death in women ages 65 and older. Routine screening tests and checkups by your doctor can help you stay healthy in the years to come. Sometimes staying healthy includes taking medication. The major benefits of hormone replacement therapy are that it prevents osteoporosis and treats the symptoms of menopause. Also, there is a slight chance that use of hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Hormone Replacement 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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Alcohol & Women
All women should know the warning signs of problem drinking. Your doctor will help you decide if you have a drinking problem and show you how to get help. How does alcohol affect my body? It's a good idea to know the warning signs of problem drinking. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, seek help. Alcohol slows down your body. Light to moderate drinking rarely causes harm (see box). Heavy drinking, though, can cause problems. It may damage the liver or cause cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and death. You may not drink often, but if you drink too much at one time (binge), you still may have a problem.

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Staying Healthy at All Ages
Women of all ages can stay healthy by getting regular health care. Women in certain age groups have special health care needs. Some women may have risk factors that require further care. Keeping track of certain tests-as well as the results of those tests-will help prevent health problems. Some health problems are more likely to occur at certain ages (see the boxes "Leading Causes of Illness in Women" and "Leading Causes of Death in Women"). Many women have risk factors that may require further screening tests (Table 2). Some people are more likely than others to have certain health problems. Also, where you live, your lifestyle, and your personal and family medical history play a role in the type of health care you may need. Immunizations are injections (shots) that help prevent infections. If you don't remember when you were last tested or immunized, your doctor may be able to test you to see if you are immune to the disease.

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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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Exercise and Fitness: A Guide for Women
Regular physical activity-exercise that is done on most days-has many health benefits. One of the most important benefits of regular physical activity is that it promotes cardiovascular fitness-that is, it strengthens your heart and circulatory system. Having lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels are factors that can reduce your risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps build and maintain strong bones. Active women have stronger bones than women who do not exercise. Regular physical activity may also reduce the risk of colon cancer. Physical benefits are not all you get with regular exercise. In fact, even moderate daily physical activity totalling 30 minutes, which may be spread throughout the day, can offer health benefits. Aerobic exercise causes your heart and lungs to work harder and builds fitness. Exercise resulting in a heart rate above 80% of your maximum heart rate may be too much unless you're in top physical shape.

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