Table of Contents for Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause
Preface Introduction
APPROACHING MENOPAUSE 1: Understanding Our Menopause Experiences Ageism and Sexism Medicalization The Role of Hormones Racial and Ethnic Differences Midlife Transitions Finding Our Balance 2: Making Health Care Decisions Facing Menopause Menopause as a Normal Life Event It May Not Be Menopause Ageism and Medicalization Interventions and Their Consequences Gathering Information Evaluating Information Understanding Research Results Can We Trust the Evidence in Evidence-Based Medicine? - Making Decisions Evaluating Drugs Barriers to Receiving Medical Care - Racism and Discrimination Language Barriers - Choosing a Provider Considerations in Choosing a Provider or Clinic When You See Your Provider: What to Ask and Whom to Bring - Conclusions
A TRANSITION AND ITS CHALLENGES 3: Whats Happening in Our Bodies The Transition Years Menstrual Calendars Changing Hormones Follicle-Stimulation Hormone Estradiol Inhibins Progesterone Androgens Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Estrone Other Hormones Ethnic Differences Signs of the Menopause Transition Hot Flashes Sleep Problems Sexual Concerns Depression Memory Other Concerns Physiologic Changes of The Menopause Transition Weight and Fat Distribution Insulin Bone Mass Other Concerns Learning More
4: Sudden and Early Menopause What Causes Early Menopause - Surgical Menopause Treatment Induced Menopause Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) What is Unique About Early Menopause Signs of Early Menopause Is It Really Early Menopause Temporary Conditions That Are Not Early Menopause - Menopause Concerns for Young Women Medical Issues Psychological Concerns Social Differences - Treatment and Support Hormonal Treatments Counseling Therapy Support Groups - Resolution
5: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, and Sleep Disturbances The Heat Spectrum Who Experiences Hot Flashes? What Can I Do About Hot Flashes? Lifestyle Changes Paced Respiration Complementary Health Practices Prescription Medications Insomnia and Other Sleep Disturbances What is Insomnia? Improving Your Sleep Diagnosis Sleep Disorders Sleep Remedies and Medications
6: Vulvovaginal Changes Causes of Itching, Burning and Pain Infection Vaginal Atrophy - The Vulva The Vagina Treatment of Atrophy of the Vulva and Vagina Lichen Sclerosus Appearance Evaluation Treatment Lichen Simplex Chronicus Appearance Evaluation Treatment Vulvar Lichen Planus Appearance Evaluation and Treatment Vulvodynia Evaluation Treatment Care for Your Vulva and Vagina
7: Hormone Treatment A Brief History of Hormone Treatment Understanding the WHI Results Hormone Treatment Today Proven Claims Unproven Claims Different Kinds of Hormone Treatment - Estrogen-Only and Estrogen Plus Progestogen Combinations How Much and How Long? Delivery Methods Adding Testosterone to the Mix Natural Products: Phytoestrogens and Bioidentical Hormones Other Treatments for Healthy Bones and Hot Flashes- Health Bones Hot Flashes Surgically and Medically Induced Menopause Hormone Treatment After Surgical Menopause Early Natural Menopause - Hormones and Transgendered Health Should I or Shouldn't I?
CHANGING SELVES, CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS
8: Body Image Effects of Low Self-Esteem Attitudes Towards Aging Sudden and Early Menopause Social and Media Influences Cosmetic Surgery Midlife Women and Breast Implants Real Changes to Expect as We Age Thinning Hair Skin Changes Weight Gain Celebrating Us
9: Sexuality Physical Changes and Emotional Reactions Body Image Changing Relationships The Importance of Communication Range of Sexual Expression Birth Control Unexpected Pregnancy Abortion Placing a Child for Adoption Motherhood - Sexually Transmitted Infections - Changing Desire The Medicalization of Female Sexual Desire Illness, Disabilities and Sexuality Strategies and Approaches
10: Family Life and the Workplace The Family: A Club-Sandwich Generation Becoming a Mother Launching Children Caring for Aging Parents The Workplace Finding or Changing Jobs Work-Family Balance Planning for Retirement New Visions for Life After Menopause
TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES
11: Emotional Well-Being and Managing Stress Stress The Stress Response Stress and Health -- The Fine Art of Effective Coping Acknowledging Our Feelings Problem Solving Rethinking Our Thoughts The Relaxation Response Contemplation Spirituality Moving to Acceptance Social Connections - Emotional Well-Being and Social Change
12: Eating Well What is a Healthy Diet? Eat Whole Grains Eat Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits Choose Healthy Fats Choose Healthy Protein Sources Cut Down on "Empty Calories" Remember that Size Matters Reducing Health Risks Heart Disease and Stroke Diabetes Cancer Osteoporosis Relief for Menopause Related Problems - Challenges to Eating Well Eating Well on a Limited Budget A Healthy Weight Weight Gain in the Menopausal Transition Our Body Weight, Ourselves
13: Staying Active It's Never Too Late Making the Commitment Access Your Activity Level Are You Ready for Change The Top Five Excuses Not to Exercise Setting Goals The Prescription for Fitness The First Step Step Two Step Three Keep Moving
HEALTH CONCERNS
14: Uterine and Bladder Health Uterine Health Uterine Bleeding Uterine Prolapse Bladder Health Self-Care for Treatment or Prevention Pelvic Floor Muscle Training How to Exercise Your Pelvic Floor -- Behavior Changes that Benefit Bladder Health Bladder Training Medication and Surgery
15: Memory and Mood Memory and Menopause Our Brain, Thinking and Memory Midlife and Memory Who Has Memory Problems at Midlife? - Mood and Menopause Mood Problems and Depression Causes for Mood Problems and Depression During the Menopause Transition Antidepressant Medications -- Women and Stress Who Experiences Mood Problems at Menopause? -- Treatments
16: Bone Health Redefining Osteoporosis Symptoms How Common is Osteoporosis? Who is at Risk of Bone Fractures? What Can I Do? Exercise to Strengthen Muscles and Bones Get Enough Calcium Get Enough Vitamin D Get Enough Vitamin A, But Not Too Much Avoid Excessive Caffeine Decrease Risks for Falls Estrogen-Progestin Treatment Age for Bone Density Testing
17: Heart Health Taking Care of Ourselves - Cholesterol Levels with Menopause Blood Pressure With Menopause Weight Change with Menopause Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Prevention Treating Risk Factors to Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke Treatment of Hypertension Treatment of High Cholesterol Questioning the Role of Cholesterol -- Treatment of Diabetes Postmenopausal Hormone Treatment How Heart Disease Develops Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral Arterial Disease When to Suspect Cardiovascular Disease Signs of Stroke Signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease Testing for Heart Disease Tests to Evaluate Chest Discomfort Other Testing - Treatments for Heart Disease Lifestyle Herbs and Vitamins Protective and Nonprotective Drugs
18: Cancers Screening for Early Detection - Treatments and Effects Breast Cancer Demographics, Risk Factors and Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Ovarian Cancer Demographics, Risk Factors and Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Endometrial / Uterine Cancer Demographics, Risk Factors and Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Cervical Cancer Demographics, Risk Factors and Screening Diagnosis and Treatments Vaginal / Vulvar Cancer Lung Cancer - Colorectal Cancer
19: Other Health Concerns Tobacco Health Effects Quitting Smoking Alcohol Health Effects Recognizing a Problem Finding Help Self-Help Groups Managing Withdrawal Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Who Gets Type 2 Diabetes? Diabetes Treatment and Management Migraine Headaches Triggers Early Warning Symptoms Migraine Treatments Joint Health Dry Eye and Vision Changes Hearing Loss Gum and Dental Problems Thyroid Conditions
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
20: The Politics of Womens Health Barriers to Getting Good Health Care Medicalization and Marketing Discrimination and Health Disparities Low Income and Lack of Insurance The U.S. Health Care System Government Insurance: Medicare and Medicaid - Supporting Women's Health Through Menopause and Beyond Reforming the Health Care System Economic Security: End Gender Discrimination Family-Friendly Workplace Policies Retirement Security
21: Finding Our Power, Organizing for Change Building Community Making Healthy Decisions Implementing Our Plan Organizing for Social Change Taking Political Action Examples of Grassroots Organizations - Moving Forward
Resources Authorship and Acknowledgment About the Contributors Disclosures Index
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