Defying Age

Osteoporosis - causes and treatment

The word ??osteoporosis? is from two Greek words meaning ??bone that has many holes?. Compared with normal bones, bones affected by osteoporosis have a low ??bone density? which makes them brittle and means they have an increased risk of fracture. Indeed, some bones can be so brittle as to fracture with coughing or even a hug.

Can I prevent osteoporosis?

All women are at risk of developing osteoporosis so it??s important that you adopt self-help measures early in life as a safeguard.

When does the menopause begin?

Most women reach the menopause between the ages of 40 and 55 in the UK. The average age is 51.

What happens during the menopause?

The menopause is also known as the climacteric. It encompasses three distinct stages.

How can I manage my menopause?

I believe in women managing their menopause and taking steps to have the menopause they want. There are many tools all women can use in taking responsibility for their own menopausal health. Three out of four menopausal women have symptoms that should be treated. Don??t grin and bear it.

What can I do to help my menopausal symptoms?

As well as vitamins and herbal remedies available for menopausal women there's a number of useful things that you can do to help yourself.

Is there such a thing as the male menopause?

To date, there is no evidence to suggest that men do experience major hormonal or psychological changes in mid-life. Minor chemical and hormonal changes do occur, but they are relatively insignificant. The symptoms that do increase in men with advancing age are disturbed sleep, failing memory and waning sex drive. Although these symptoms resemble female symptoms, there is a major difference: male symptoms are not clustered between the ages of 45-55; they simply increase slowly as a man ages.