Chapter 1. Perimenopause to menopause - the transition
· Perimenopause and puberty
· Menopause and aging
· Menopause and health
· Perimenopause: A time of transition
· Factors that influence age of menopause
· Some definitions
· Health care providers
Chapter
2. Hot flashes, night sweats, and dryness oh my
· Is there a test to see if you are in the perimenopausal
period?
· What are some of the symptoms experienced during
perimenopause?
· Hot flashes and night sweats
· Sleep problems
· Vaginal changes
· Bladder problems
· Breast changes
· Headaches
· Memory and cognitive changes
· Fatigue
Chapter
3. My periods have changed. Should I worry?
· Your menstrual cycle
· When should you worry?
· Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
· Pregnancy
· Endometrial polyps
· Fibroids
· Endometrial hyperplasia
· Endometrial cancer
· Endometritis
· Adenomyosis
· Cervical cancer
· Vaginal cancer
· Fallopian tube cancer
· Liver disease
· Thyroid problems
· Bleeding disorders
· Medications
Chapter
4. What’s with my moods?
· Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
· How can you tell if you have PMS?
· Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
· What causes PMS or PMDD?
· Treatment of PMS
· Depression
Chapter
5. Packing on the pounds
· The size of the problem
· So what’s causing the weight gain?
· How do you lose the weight?
· What about exercise?
· Dietary supplements
Chapter
6. Not in the mood
· “Not tonight honey”
· Decreasing sex drive
· Differences in sex drive
· The benefits of touch
· Viagra in women
· Hormones and sex
· Perceived loss of attractiveness
· Health problems
· Painful intercourse
· Difficulty achieving orgasm
Chapter
7. I can’t be pregnant…
· Unintended pregnancies
· Condoms
· Diaphragm
· Cervical cap
· Female condom
· Contraceptive sponge
· Spermicides
· Natural family planning (rhythm method)
· Withdrawal (Coitus interruptus)
· Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
· Contraceptive ring, patch, and Lunelle
· The mini-pill (progestin only pill)
· Morning after pill (emergency contraception)
· Depo-Provera
· Norplant
· IUD (Intrauterine device)
· Sterilization
· Pregnancy
Chapter
8. Single again and avoiding sexually transmitted diseases
· Chlamydia
· Gonorrhea
· Herpes
· Human papillomavirus (HPV)
· Syphilis
· Hepatitis B
· Trichomoniasis
· Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
· Safer sex
· Date rape drugs
Chapter
9. Hormones – the good, the bad, and the ugly
· A brief history of hormone therapy
· What are hormones?
· Estrogen – The good, the bad, and the ugly
· Progesterone and progestins
· Testosterone
· SERM (selective estrogen-receptor modulator)
Chapter
10. Natural remedies – what they don’t tell
you
· What is complementary and alternative medicine?
· Evaluating alternative medicines
· Botanical or herbal remedies
· Botanical or herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms
· Botanical or herbal remedies for other symptoms
· Vitamins and minerals
· Other alternative therapies
Chapter
11. Life after menopause
· Osteoporosis
· Heart disease
· Stroke
Chapter
12. Screening tests
· The annual exam
· Cervical cancer screening
· Endometrial (uterine) cancer screening
· Ovarian cancer screening
· Breast cancer screening
· Colon cancer screening
· Cholesterol screening
· Diabetes screening
· Osteoporosis screening
· Genetic testing
· Screening for thyroid disease
· Future screening tests
Additional
resources for women
Glossary
