Learn to identify your feelings and develop strategies for working through them. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Get regular exercise and take a few minutes for yourself each day. There are several health risks that can increase with menopause due to the loss of estrogen. Heart Disease A common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease, seems to increase for postmenopausal women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women.
Estrogen has a number of helpful effects on the heart and circulatory system. Research has shown that as soon as 6 months after a woman's last period, her cholesterol levels can increase as much as 6 percent. According to research, a woman loses 20 percent of her bone mass in the first 7 years after menopause, and osteoporosis affects one in 3 postmenopausal women. Eating foods rich in calcium and Vitamin D, getting regular exercise and avoiding tobacco products and alcohol can reduce some of the risks of osteoporosis. Urinary Tract Problems For many, decreased estrogen levels affect the urinary tract.