MIDDLE AGE, MINOR ISSUES
‘Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be...', so the old adage goes, but there are many women over 40, who may not agree! Middle age brings a raft of new health conditions and issues for women but, fortunately, most are easily dealt with.
Thinning hair For a woman, losing her hair can badly affect her confidence. Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is fairly common in middle age and it’s estimated that around 40 per cent of women aged 70 years or over will experience female- pattern baldness.
There are lots of different types of hair loss – from ‘thinning’ to a total loss of hair. It can also happen gradually or suddenly. For many women, hair loss can be genetic, or can occur as a result of extreme stress, a medical condition or treatment.
One proven treatment for female-pattern baldness is a hair lotion containing minoxidil. Many women have seen improvements after using it – improvements that can range from a slowing down or stopping altogether of hair loss to the growth of thicker hair.
Always contact a GP or dermatologist for advice before starting or finishing any treatments or medicine for alopecia.
Hormone replacement therapy This type of therapy – HRT as it’s widely referred to - is used to treat menopausal symptoms. The average age for the menopause in the UK is 51 years but women in their 40s may start experiencing menopausal symptoms and consider taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
As a woman approaches the menopause, the ovaries produce less and less estrogen: the hormone that controls a woman’s reproductive cycle, in addition to other functions, including bone density, skin temperature and keeping the vagina moist. It is the reduction in estrogen that causes most of the symptoms associated with the menopause, including: • Hot flushes • Night sweats • Vaginal dryness • Loss of sex drive • Stress incontinence (leaking urine when coughing or sneezing)
• Bone thinning (which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures)
As its name suggests, HRT is designed to ‘top up’ the body’s natural supply of estrogen. Since estrogen also stimulates the lining of the womb, it may be necessary for another hormone – progestogen - at the same time, in order to protect the womb lining.
Unfortunately, HRT has received some negative publicity in the media and so some women choose to opt for an alternative to the therapy.
This may be because: • Their GP has advised them not to take it because of their own - or their family’s medical history – such as breast cancer or deep vein thrombosis
• They have concerns about the safety and side effects of HRT
• They would prefer alternative treatments to help alleviate symptoms of the menopause
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HRT IS DESIGNED TO ‘TOP UP’ THE BODY’S NATURAL SUPPLY OF ESTROGEN
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