Bone Health

Two of the conditions routinely screened for in peri-menopause are osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteopenia is most easily defined as the beginning stages of bone loss and osteoporosis as more severe bone loss with an increased fracture risk. Both are measured using hip and spine bone density measurements. There are many factors that contribute to bone health including decreasing hormone levels, the quality of the food we eat, exercise, age, familial history and body type.

Women and Alcohol

Harvard Women’s Health Watch – July 2006

For women, there’s not much leeway between healthful and harmful drinking especially as we get older. Currently, the work is that moderate drinking can be good for you. Various studies suggest that it promotes longevity, helps prevent cardiovascular disease, and lowers the risk for dementia and other ills. What hasn’t made as many headlines are the downsides for women, especially drinking that starts at a moderate level but eventually becomes a problem. Why this happens and to whom isn’t fully understood.