Publications

* Learn About Your Options to Deal With Menopausal Symptoms
* How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider (HCP)
* Get a Second Opinion

Some women say their doctors treat menopause like a disease. It's important for you to remember that menopause is not a disease. However, you may have some symptoms that are difficult to cope with. There are ways to make this time in your life easier.

Learn About Your Options to Deal With Menopausal Symptoms

You have probably heard about different ways women relieve menopausal symptoms. We know that hormone therapy (HT) for menopause relieves symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. However, using HT may increase your chances of getting breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. There are other products, such as soy, ginseng, black cohosh, and flax seed, that women use to relieve symptoms. But are they safe?

Unfortunately, we don't yet know if they're safe and effective. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting research to find out.

In the meantime, before you take HT or any herbs or dietary supplements, talk to your health care provider (HCP). Also, keep in mind these points about herbal therapies:

*Herbs are NOT necessarily safer than medicine prescribed by your health care provider.
*Herbs can cause side effects.
*Herbs can interact with other medicines you're taking.

If you've already started using herbal therapies, tell your HCP. It's important to get his or her advice.

How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider (HCP)

When you talk to your health care provider (HCP), ask what your options are to relieve symptoms and what you can expect. Ask about side effects and alternatives to these treatments. Knowing what your options are and what to expect will help you make an informed decision about your health.

Here are some tips for talking with your HCP:

*Make a list of concerns and questions to take to your visit with your HCP. While you're waiting to be seen, use the time to review your list and organize your thoughts. You can share the list with your HCP.
*Describe your symptoms clearly and briefly. Say when they started, how they make you feel, what triggers them, and what you've done to relieve them.
*Tell your HCP what prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and other supplements you're taking. Be honest about your diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol or drug use, and sexual history-withholding information can be harmful! Describe allergies to drugs, foods, or other things. Don't forget to mention if you are being treated by other HCPs.
*Don't feel embarrassed about discussing sensitive topics. Chances are, your HCP has heard it before! Don't leave something out because you're worried about taking up too much time. Be sure to have all of your concerns addressed before you leave.
*If your HCP orders tests, be sure to ask how to find out about results and how long it takes to get them. Get instructions for what you need to do to get ready for the test(s) and find out about any dangers or side effects with the test(s).
*When you are given medicine and other treatments, ask your HCP about them. Talk about the latest studies and recommendations for treating menopausal symptoms (see hormone therapy news). Ask how long treatment will last, if it has any side effects, how much it will cost, and if it is covered by insurance. Make sure you understand how to take your medicine; what to do if you miss a dose; if there are any foods, drugs or activities you should avoid when taking the medicine; and if there is a generic brand available at a lower price (you can also ask your pharmacist about this).
*Understand everything before you leave your visit. If you don't understand something, ask to have it explained again.
*Bring a family member or trusted friend with you to your visit. That person can take notes, offer moral support, and help you remember what was discussed. You can also have that person ask questions as well.

Get a Second Opinion

Since we're always learning more about menopause treatment options and hormone therapy, it is can be confusing to figure out how to treat or manage menopausal symptoms. It is important for you to have a health care provider (HCP) that you trust, so you can have an open talk about your concerns and your treatment options. Then, you can make informed decisions about your health that you feel good about. If you feel that you have talked openly with your HCP and still don't feel satisfied, you should think about getting a second opinion. Getting a second opinion from a different HCP might give you a fresh perspective and more information on treatments. Here are some tips for how to get a second opinion:

*Ask your HCP to recommend another HCP or specialist for another opinion. Don't worry about hurting your provider's feelings.
*If you don't feel comfortable asking your HCP about whom to go to for a second opinion, contact another HCP you trust. You can also call university teaching hospitals and medical societies in your area for names of HCPs. Some of this information is available on the Internet.
*Always check with your health insurance provider first to make sure the cost of a second opinion is covered. Many health insurance providers do. Ask if there are any special procedures you or your primary care doctor need to follow.
*Arrange to have your medical records sent to the second opinion HCP before your visit. This gives the new HCP time to look at your records and can help you to avoid repeating medical tests. Be aware that some HCP offices charge a fee for making a copy of your records.
*Learn as much as you can. Ask your HCP for information you can read, go to a local library, or do a search on the Internet. Some teaching hospitals and universities have medical libraries that are open to the public. But sorting through information that is complicated and sometimes contradictory can be a daunting task. List your questions and concerns and bring the list to discuss with the HCP.
*Never rely solely on the telephone or Internet for a second opinion. When you get a second opinion, you need to be seen in person by an HCP. A sound second opinion includes a physical examination and a thorough review of your medical records. Don't forget to ask the HCP to send a written report to your primary HCP and get a copy for your records.

Publications

1. La menopausia y las hormonas - El paquete incluye una hoja de datos con información sencilla y útil para las mujeres que piensan comenzar una terapia con hormonas para la menopausia. Explica cómo las hormonas pueden ayudar con la menopausia, y cuáles mujeres no las deben tomar por razones de sus factores de riesgo médico. También incluye una tarjeta del tamaño de cartera con preguntas acerca de la salud en la tercera edad que todas pacientes deberían hacerle a su proveedor de cuidado médico.

2. Menopause & Hormones Fact Sheet - This information packet includes a fact sheet with simple and clear guidance for women who are considering hormone therapy for menopause. It explains how hormones can help with menopause, and which patients should not take hormones. It also includes a convenient "purse card" with important questions to ask your doctor or healthcare provider about options for staying healthy through menopause and beyond.

3. Digest Page: Postmenopausal Hormone Use - This publication explains, briefly and clearly the findings of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) clinical study about the risks of postmenopausal hormone therapy.

4. Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging - This 80-page illustrated booklet provides healthy older people with scientifically accurate recommendations about exercise.

5. Facts About Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy - Choosing whether or not to use postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT) can be one of the most important health decisions women face as they age. This 20 page brochure summarizes new evidence (Summer 2002) that offers guidance about the risks and benefits of PHT. It is designed to provide patients with information to help them communicate more effectively with their care providers and determine the best course of treatment on an individual basis.

6. Falls and Related Fractures: The Risk of Undiagnosed Osteoporosis - This publication contains information on how osteoporosis can progress without symptoms and how falls are especially dangerous for those with low bone density.

7. Heart Truth for Women, The - The campaign brochure, The Heart Truth for Women, is available in English and Spanish. It features women telling their own stories about heart disease and provides information about risk factors and a checklist of key questions to ask your doctor.

8. NINDS Stroke Information Page - This on-line publication discusses stroke, the treatment options and ongoing research. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemic) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding the brain cells (hemorrhagic). The symptoms of stroke are easy to spot: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; or loss of balance or coordination.