GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 21 Our bodies need estrogen and progesterone, Dr. Walsh explains, and HRT has come a long way in helping to keep that balance. The good news is that HRT protects bone density and promotes collagen/elas- ticity of the vagina, bladder and rectum. The bad news is that there is a 0.08 percent increase in breast cancer and possibly an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Prolonged use can increase a woman’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Creams or patches have less significant effects than oral HRT treatment but may be less effective. A new hormone treatment NOT approved by the FDA is the testosterone pellet, Dr. Walsh shares. This definitely helps with libido but can have many side effects including acne and hair loss and increased risk of blood clots, among others. The hormonal changes can cause physical changes as well. Metab- olism slows by 30-33% at menopause, so many women are surprised at their weight gain when their diet hasn’t changed. Another symp- tom women experience is one we talk about less. Recently, there have been new laser treatments available to women to help with elas- ticity “down there.” There are also several creams and suppositories, prescription and over-the-counter, which can help with dryness that can cause pain with intercourse. Calcium and magnesium supple- ments can help with mood as well as with constipation or bloating. Talk to your doctor and tell them about everything you’re experienc- ing. We want to feel sexy, no matter how old we are, and there may be something to help. “Menopause is a great time for women,” Dr. Walsh reminds us, “be- cause they don’t have to worry about periods and pregnancy.” These days, 50 is the new 40. Women are healthier and living longer, so there’s a lot of life to live after menopause is over. “I don’t want wom- en to be defined by age. I want them to be defined by their abilities, and I think we keep getting better and better,” she says. Amen to that! Editor’s Note: For more information, consult your physician or schedule an appointment with Dr. Walsh by calling 972.378.3737. GOREDFORWOMEN’S HEARTHEALTH OB-GYNS, CARDIOLOGISTS JOIN TO FIGHT THE NUM- BER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN Regular annual visits to the OB-GYN can be a linchpin to improv- ing women’s heart health, according to an advisory that encourages collaboration with cardiologists and spells out recommendations on how the two can prevent heart disease. More than 90 percent of women have at least one risk factor for Eventually, all women will go through menopause, and many of the symptoms are not “fun.” The big question is, what can we do to make it as smooth as possible?