Prevention – Early Screening and Intervention of Common Menopausal Health Problems

Osteoporosis Screening and Intervention for Menopause] Bone mass is lost silently in menopausal women. There are no signs at the beginning, and most patients are unaware that their bone health is being “stolen”, which is why osteoporosis has been called a “silent epidemic”. If not prevented and regularly monitored, it can seriously affect the health and quality of life of menopausal women. Low back pain is the earliest symptom of bone loss in menopausal women. The pain is common in the chest and lower back, and is accompanied by symptoms such as aching joints, numbness in the limbs, and weakness in the knees. As we get older, especially after the age of 60 to 75, bone mass continues to decrease, bone fragility increases, and the incidence of fractures increases significantly. Therefore, women entering middle age are already a high-risk group for osteoporosis, and postmenopausal women should be even more vigilant. Ways to prevent osteoporosis during menopause include: emphasizing dietary nutrition and calcium supplementation, strengthening exercise to prevent falls, bathing in sunlight frequently, and refraining from smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and coffee drinking. Monitor bone density regularly. If osteoporosis is present, it should be treated with medication under doctor’s supervision. [Assessment and intervention of pelvic floor function during menopause] A survey data shows that the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction in menopausal women can reach 50-80%. Women’s pelvic floor muscles and fascia are like a hammock with full elasticity, supporting the pelvic organs such as uterus, vagina, bladder and rectum and keeping them in normal position and function. Once the elasticity is damaged, the hammock is bound to collapse and can no longer play a good supporting role, and pelvic organs such as uterine prolapse, vagina, bladder or rectum bulge, and inability to control urination and other pelvic floor dysfunctional problems will occur. Women entering menopause, with the decline of ovarian function, the pelvic floor support function is also gradually weakened, especially the impact caused by childbirth, has not been able to be compensated by the body, and gradually appeared in coughing, laughing when urine leakage, the more serious can be touched at the vaginal opening of the tissues detachment, which seriously affects the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly women. With timely assessment of pelvic floor function and standardized training and rehabilitation under the guidance of a doctor, 70%-80% of the patients’ pelvic floor function can be significantly improved and restored; in some serious cases, the function can also be restored through surgery. Therefore, for menopausal women with the above symptoms, early consultation and evaluation is the key to improving the quality of life. Screening and early treatment of common gynecological malignant tumors during menopause】 Cervical cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer are some of the common gynecological malignant tumors that occur during menopause. Women entering menopause should have a comprehensive physical examination at least once every 1-2 years, including screening for these gynecologic malignancies. For cervical cancer screening, women aged 40 and above should preferably undergo cervical cytology and cervical cancer virology once a year; for breast cancer screening, women aged 40 and above should undergo breast ultrasonography once a year and mammography (molybdenum target) X-ray once every 2 years; high-risk groups, especially those with a family history of the disease or those over 45 years of age should undergo mammography (molybdenum target) X-ray once a year. If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be considered. For endometrial and ovarian cancer screening, annual pelvic color ultrasound is the most basic screening method. Diagnostic hysteroscopic curettage and, if necessary, laparoscopy are needed for postmenopausal abnormal vaginal bleeding. [Preventive interventions for menopausal vaginitis/urethritis] Menopausal vaginitis/urethritis is a common disease in postmenopausal women, especially those who have been menopausal for more than 10 years, and is prone to recurrent episodes. Its pathogenesis is different from that of common vaginitis and urethritis, which are usually caused by low levels of female hormones rather than bacterial infection. Therefore, preventive treatment for menopausal vaginitis/urethritis should be guided by doctor’s assessment.