Music to Menopausal Ears

The hallmarks of menopause—insomnia, irritability and sweaty hot flashes—are so infamous that they've inspired an off-Broadway comedy that's popular with the over-50 set: Menopause The Musical.

Despite the hormonal song and dance, medical studies point to aging, not menopause, as the root of many midlife health problems. Experts say women should think of menopause not as a menace, but as a reminder to take extra care of their bodies.

The Power Of Soy

Men face the risk of heart disease an average of eight to ten years earlier than women. But once women enter their forties, heart problems become the number-one killer among them, too. The culprit: cholesterol, which more readily clogs the arteries as one ages.

According to a Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing study, postmenopausal women who add just two tablespoons of soy protein daily can reduce cholesterol by up to 20 percent. These women tended to eat less high-fat protein, such as red meat, and their cholesterol declined.

Preventing Added Pounds

Weight gain remains one of the most dreaded aspects of menopause, driving some women to extreme eating habits to keep off the pounds.

However, nothing beats an old-fashioned low-fat, high-fiber diet when it comes to preventing weight gain, according to a study of 48,000 older women. Those who stuck to a diet packed with carbohydrate-rich fruits and vegetables were most able to keep their weight in check, and even lost an average of five pounds during the first year of the plan.

A Second Look

Should hormone replacement therapy (HRT) get another chance? Three years ago, many women abruptly ended HRT after a study showed increased risks of heart disease and breast cancer.

Now experts say the study may have been too focused on women who were in their 60s and beyond, who already have higher risks for disease. Sharonne Hayes, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic, says women should consult their physician if menopausal symptoms are severe. Short-term HRT could help in some cases. Says Hayes, "The absolute risk to an individual woman taking hormone therapy is quite low and may be acceptable to you in light of your symptoms."