Dr. Gunasheela Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Chairperson Of The Indian Branch Of Royal College Of Obstetricians And Gynaecologists Of U.K.

Okay, so you’re past the age of 40.

You are experiencing the symptoms of menopause.

You’re irritable. You experience hot flushes. And sexual activity—you want none of it...According to world renowned Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Sulochana Gunasheela –NO woman should think that her life is over at menopause. This is actually a life of freedom that has come when she is still physically strong. Use this information on post menopausal therapy… and rediscover yourself.

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Say Nay To Administration Of Estrogen!
Administration of estrogen as post menopausal therapy was much advocated until 2 – 3 years ago. But it is not in favour anymore as it has been discovered that protracted administration of estrogen may cause a marginal increase in heart attacks, incidence of breast cancer and even uterine cancer.

What Is The Ideal Post-Menopausal Therapy?
So today, the trend is to use estrogen in the form of application of cream in the affected areas (for e.g. vaginal mucosa) so as to maintain effective sexual functioning. Certain bones in the body are particularly dependent upon estrogen for maintenance of their integrity. These are the individual vertebrae of the vertebral column, neck of the femur and the lower end of the radius.

How Does Deficiency Of Estrogen Affect My Body?

While bony matrix can be compared to the steel network of the roof of a house, calcium can be compared to cement mixture that is laid on the steel network.

If bony matrix is not satisfactory, the cement has no infrastructure to hold on to, so deficiency of estrogen results in contraction of the infrastructure of the vertebrae without a person actually realizing that it is happening all the time.

• One develops a deformity of the vertebral column in the form of a side-to-side bend or a back to front bend (hunchback).
• Small insignificant falls can produce a fracture of the hip and at the wrist.
• The deficiency at the level of nerve and neuron fibers can result in loss of memory and early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Post menopausal women also get a deficiency in rightening reflexes. This means that they no longer have the power of straightening themselves even in the event of a threatened fall.

Administration of estrogen would help in mitigating all these problems. So a post-menopausal woman is advised to take some form of estrogen along with a regular diet, rich in calcium, like milk, cheese, curds, etc.

O Mi Gosh! I Am Putting On Weight. What Do I Do?

• Women who are afraid of putting on too much weight by drinking milk can substitute the same with calcium tablets.
• There are many other medicines known as selective estrogen receptor modulators, which can replace natural estrogen. Some of them are Bisphosphonates, Raloxiphene, Tibilone, etc. These drugs should not be bought off the shelf by patients themselves, but should only be taken on prescription by a qualified physician. These drugs are also very expensive and all women may not be able to afford them.
• But one of the most natural and easily available estrogen substitutes is Soyabean, because it contains a molecule known as phyto estrogen; soyabean must become a good proportion of food intake for every post menopausal woman. These beans are easily available in the market.

Oh…Stop Being So nervous!

The psychological phenomenon that women feel is entirely individualistic. A woman may have a rejuvenated life for a good couple of decades after menopause. Stoppage of menses itself should give a lot of elevation in spirit.
• Menopausal women must discover their hidden talents for which they have not had any time to promote because of other responsibilities related to rearing their children.
• They must take interest in writing, reading and learning new arts like painting, music, embroidery work, etc.
• A new hobby and a new goal in life will give them a new interest and a target to reach.

Dr. Gunasheela particularly focuses on the study of infertile couples. Equipped with her own laboratory in Bangalore, the Gunasheela Institute of Research in Reproduction, she has developed the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). She has received international acclaim for in-depth knowledge and research on infertility. She is the Chairperson of the Indian branch of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of U.K. and a member of the Advisory Board of National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Further, she is an "Expert Member for Accreditation of Units involved in ART" on the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

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Other Articles By Gunasheela

Age and Infertility-How old is too old?
Infertility : Myth v/s Reality
Making  Sense Of Menopause
Stressed Out Over Infertility
Tubal Infertility
Understanding ART- Solutions For Infertility
Unexplained Infertility
Your Guide To Infertility Treatment