New Delhi: Menopause usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55, but women may experience it before or after this age range. It means the permanent cessation of menstruation due to the loss of follicular activity. During menopause, women experience a number of physical changes due to sudden changes in hormone levels.
Menopause begins when a woman goes 12 months without a menstrual cycle and is unable to conceive naturally. Symptoms such as hot flashes and irritation may begin to appear and may be difficult to manage in some cases. This may call for treatment. When your periods begin to become irregular around this age (about 45 to 50), you are considered peri-menopausal. This time is taken over by menopause, when menstruation stops. , the postmenopausal period is considered postmenopausal.
Mammogram
Like an X-ray, this breast cancer screening is recommended every two years. Your doctor may ask you to repeat these tests if you have unusual reports or high risk factors, such as a family history. This test is very important because it gives the chance of early detection of breast tumors.
dexascan
A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DXA bone density scan uses low-dose X-rays to determine the density (or strength) of your bones. It is often used to diagnose or assess the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and prone to fracture. This is a very informative test performed on postmenopausal women who are prone to osteoporosis due to hormonal imbalances.
Pap smear/liquid-based cytology (LBC)
A Pap smear test is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. This test is recommended for early detection of cervical cancer. This procedure involves gently scraping cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope for abnormal cells or infections. A woman between the ages of 21 and her 65 should have a repeat Pap test every three years. Should be used in conjunction with HPV testing.
Regular health screening tests that may be included
Complete blood count (CBC)
CBC is a blood test used to assess overall health and can help detect a variety of disorders such as infections, anemia, and even blood cancer.Hemoglobin, platelets, red blood cells, A complete blood test measures some components of the blood, such as white blood cells.
Lipid profile
Lipid profile testing is very important because it helps check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and serves as a tool to determine your risk of heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol causes heart attack, coronary artery disease, and stroke. This test is very important because it is possible.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis, often known as urinalysis, is a non-invasive process that examines the composition of urine to detect diseases such as kidney disease, infections, or diabetes. As part of the examination, the urine is checked for physical appearance and chemical composition and examined under a microscope.
Renal function test
This test estimates how well the kidneys are functioning. In this test, some of the parameters evaluated are serum creatinine test, estimated GFR, and blood urea nitrogen. Renal function tends to decline with aging and the onset of menopause. It is also important to monitor vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women, as blood levels of calcium and phosphorus are at risk for osteoporosis.
Thyroid function test
Menopausal symptoms can be amplified and exacerbated by thyroid hormone abnormalities, especially hypothyroidism. During the years after menopause, bone mass typically decreases. A thyroid function test checks the function of the thyroid gland. They are primarily used to detect hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism) and hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism).
Blood sugar test – screening for diabetes
This is another important test done to monitor blood sugar levels. This test helps diagnose diabetes and monitor the effectiveness of diabetes medications. A type of blood test that usually consists of three types. Fasting blood glucose requires 8 hours of fasting before blood sampling.
Screening tests help in an efficient way to assess the health status of postmenopausal women and to take early preventative measures if risks arise. These tests can help you understand your health even before symptoms appear. This allows you to take preventative measures early. Screening is important because many diseases are asymptomatic and can delay diagnosis.
(Dr. Sunita Kapoor, Director and Consultant Pathologist at City X-ray & Scan Clinic)
