Prof. Dr. Gürhan Poçan said that while women face cardiovascular disease 4 times less than men before menopause, they lose this advantage in the post-menopausal period.
Dr. Gürhan Poçan from Başkent University Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Application and Research Center Department of Family Medicine emphasized that menopause is not a disease but an issue related to women's health.
Dr. Gürhan Poçan stated that during this period, women come to the doctor because of the complaints they encounter or their perceptions about menopause, “For us, there is an opportunity to do some screening tests. Menopause is considered menopause after about 12 months after the last menstrual period. It does not happen suddenly, there is a certain transition process lasting about one or two years. During this period, there are changes in menstrual periods, such as shortening and then lengthening. During this period, complaints such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorders begin to appear.”
Noting that the most important difference between the postmenopausal period and the pre-menopausal period is cardiovascular diseases, Poçan said, “While women before menopause encounter cardiovascular diseases 4 times less than men, they lose this advantage in the postmenopausal period. Secondly, osteoporosis (loss of strength of bone tissue), colloquially referred to as osteoporosis, and the risk of fractures. Another issue is some cancer risks that women face from the age of 50. Women may become prone to weight gain both due to metabolic changes after menopause and some changes in their social lives, and obesity risk may occur during this period.”
Bleeding in the postmenopausal period should be taken into consideration
Pointing out that postmenopausal bleeding is an issue that should be underlined, Dr. Gürhan Poçan said, “Bleeding in the postmenopausal period, that is, after menstruation has stopped and one year has passed, should be taken into consideration and should be investigated for an underlying important disease. Some of the postmenopausal bleeding is associated with malignant diseases. In screening tests, chronic diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol should be checked, and liver and kidney function tests should be performed. Blood pressure should be measured at least once a year. In addition, cancer screening tests should be performed for female cancers, especially breast cancer. In addition, PAP SMEAR test should be performed for cervical cancer. Risks should also be assessed for osteoporosis (osteoporosis). Another important issue is that screening tests for colon cancer, which occurs in both men and women after the age of 50, should be performed. Although controversial 20 years ago with the publication of a clinical trial, hormone therapy has become better defined today. A 5-year hormone therapy applied after menopause is very effective especially in controlling hot flashes and genital atrophy.”
Dr. Gürhan Poçan stated that although menopause is perceived negatively in society, the postmenopausal period is not an aging process as it is thought to be, but actually a period in which women reach mental and physical maturity, become more productive, and even become more independent and free in some aspects.
İHA Haber Kodu: 20240904AW280450