WHAT IS MENOPAUSE? Menopause is a natural biological change in a women’s life cycle, not a medical illness. It is the time in your life when you stop having your monthly period.

WHAT CAUSES MENOPAUSE? Menopause begins naturally as your ovaries make fewer hormones. Eventually your ovaries do not produce enough hormones and menstrual periods stop.
DOES MENOPAUSE HAPPEN OVERNIGHT? Natural menopause does not happen all at once. It usually takes three to five years. Menopause is complete when a woman has not had a period for twelve months in a row.
WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN? Every woman is different. Many women start menopause around age 45, some start in their 50’s, a few start in their 30’s.

• Natural Menopause-most women go through menopause slowly over a few years.
• Surgical Menopause- some women have an operation to have  their ovaries removed. They go through menopause all at once.

HOW WILL I KNOW I AM GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE? Before natural menopause your body will give you clues for one to two years or longer.

• Changes in periods-missed periods, periods more often, bleeding  between periods, bleeding much less or much more than usual.
• Hot flashes-feelings of heat in the face and upper part of the body, comes on fast and usually lasts for a few minutes, can cause to sweat a lot. During the night they can make it hard to sleep.
• Sleep disturbances
• Vaginal dryness-can cause itching and painful sex
• Mood changes-feeling sad or cranky-you might feel sad or cry more often.
• Weight gain
• Aches in your bones
• Forgetfulness or trouble focusing

WILL ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN AT ONCE? Usually not, changes affect everyone differently.

WHAT CAN I DO TO FEEL BETTER?

• Do not smoke
• Exercise regularly
• Staying cool during hot flashes
• Eat a healthy diet
• Get plenty of sleep
• Take care of your bones
  1200-1500 mg of Calcium
  400-800 IU of Vitamin D
• Do Kegal Kegal excercises exercises to improve bladder control
• Talk with your doctor or health care provider about comfort measures to relieve vaginal dryness
• Make time for yourself, talk to family and friends
• Learn new ways to relax
• Laugh a lot
• Stay healthy and active
• Get regular check-ups

DO I NEED TO SEE MY DOCTOR? See your doctor or health care provider regularly. They can be a big help as you go through menopause.
DO I NEED TREATMENT? Many women will not need treatment, but just as many get relief from many of the menopause symptoms with treatment. Talk with your doctor or health care provider and develop a plan of care that is best for you.
For more information on Menopause please call our office to make an appointment to speak with one of our physicians or go to www.LGHealth.org/menopause. To speak to a menopause educator, call the Lancaster General Health Wellness Center at (717)544-3809.
References and Resources:
1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.  www.mayoclinic.org
2. National Women’s Health Resource Center.
3. The North American Menopause Society. www.menopause.org
4. The American congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG).

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Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis can be very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases.

TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body.  It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 5 people who are infected.

DIPHTHERIA can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat.  It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep.  It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications which could include pneumonia or death.

These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible. Tdap is especially important for health care professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months. Pregnant women should have a Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe life-threatening complications from pertussis.

For more information about Tdap

Ask your doctor, call 1-800-232-4636 or visit the CDC’s website at

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.html

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