16 DECEMBER | JANUARY 2018 best health besthealthmag.ca
THE DOCTOR SAYS...
A
AH YES, MENOPAUSE. MANY CHANGES HAP-
pen during this time of life, some of which you ca n
control and others, less so. Menopause and uri-
nary tract infections (UTIs) can be related. Dur-
ing menopause, your ovaries stop producing hormones.
This can cause many changes to your health, including
weight ga in, loss of bone streng th, hot f la shes a nd cha nges
to the vaginal tissues and urinary tract.
Many women experience more UTIs at this time. Oth-
ers complain about irritating symptoms, such as feeling
mild pain with urination and having the sensation that
they need to pass urine immediately, rather than full-
blown infections.
If you have these symptoms, it’s best to see your health-
care provider and take a urine test to see if you have a bac-
terial infection that may require antibiotics. If not, it’s
likely due to tissue changes from the lack of hormones.
The good news is that these symptoms may improve with
low-dose local estrogen therapy, either in the form of a tab-
let or a ring inserted inside the vagina.
Other ways to prepare for this stage of life include being
active (150 minutes of exercise a week is ideal, but reward
yourself for any activity) and following a healthy diet. Try
to have seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day,
avoid adding salt to your food and choose foods that are
high in calcium, such as dairy products, canned salmon
and calcium-fortified beverages. Taking a vitamin D sup-
plement (1,000 IUs) daily and drinking alcohol only in
moderation – or not at all – can also help your body during
this change.
best »ADVICE
There are many natural products that can help provide
relief from menopausal symptoms, but there isn’t a lot of
evidence to support their use or ensure their safety. If
you’re considering using a natural product, speak to your
healthcare provider for more information.
Also, be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly
for checkups at this time to ensure that you’re having
regular PAP smears, mammograms, bowel screenings,
cholesterol tests, bone density tests and blood pressure
measurements. Stay healthy! bhDR. RUTH HEISEY
is chief of the Department of Family & Community Medicine at Women’s College Hospital,
womenshealthmatters.ca @WCHospital and @DrRuthHeiseyI AM PERIMENOPAUSAL AND GETTING A LOT OF URINARY TRACT
INFECTIONS. IS THIS A COINCIDENCE?
ISTOCK