Questions to Ask

Menopause is a natural event marketing the end of a woman's fertility and childbearing years. Just as every woman's body is unique, so every woman's menopause experience will be unique. For example, 15 to 20 percent of women experience no physical symptoms at all, except the end of their menstrual periods. Other women may have troublesome symptoms, like hot flashes.

Now is a good time to learn more about menopause and your current and future health needs. The following 'Questions to Ask' about menopause can help you prepare to discuss the health and wellness issues involving menopause with your health care professional.

1. How many women in my age group do you treat? What percentage does this number represent of your total practice?

2. Are you comfortable treating perimenopausal and postmenopausal women? Would you prefer sending me to a colleague who is?

3. Do you consider yourself up-to-date on treatment options for perimenopausal and postmenopausal health concerns, including hormone therapy and other medical therapies?

4. Can you arrange for tests for osteoporosis and heart disease? At what age should I have these health screenings?

5. If I am interested in alternatives to prescription drug therapies for my menopausal symptoms, will you work with me to help identify the ones that help?

6. I don't feel well in several different ways. Are my symptoms due to menopause or another condition?

7. How do I know if my on-again, off-again bleeding is a sign of perimenopause or another problem?

8. How long will perimenopause go on?

9. Why have I lost my sex drive and what can I do to get it back?

10. Since I began menopause I have had an embarrassing problem, urine leaks when I laugh or cough. What can I do to prevent this?

11. What should I know about the most recent research about hormone therapy and its safety? How do the benefits and risks of hormone therapy apply to my personal health needs?