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Unnatural menopause
Not every woman experiences a natural change of life—from perimenopause to menopause. Some go into menopause dramatically as a result of surgery: a hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, or bilateral oophorectomy, the removal of both ovaries. A woman whose uterus is removed but her healthy ovaries are left intact will no longer have menstrual periods, but she’ll likely experience other menopausal symptoms at the same age she’d have had them naturally. However, some women who’ve had a hysterectomy will experience symptoms at a younger age. Not every woman experiences the same symptoms, but women who undergo surgical menopause experience more severe symptoms, including:

• hot flashes
• thyroid dysfunction
• bladder infections; incontinence
• insomnia
• increased appetite; weight gain
• hair loss

• night sweats
• vaginal dryness; painful intercourse
• decreased sexual desire
• depression
• suicidal thoughts
• irritability; anger; rage

If your doctor recommends you have a procedure that will result in surgical menopause, the Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education suggests you request your healthcare provider do a complete hormonal blood work-up, which will establish a baseline to help him or her determine your hormonal needs afterward.

Sleep struggle is a risk
Not getting enough sleep may be more troublesome than just spending your days walking around in a fog. Poor sleep is associated with greater psychological distress as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. And the associations are significantly stronger in women than men, say Duke University Medical Center researchers. Their study of more than 200 healthy, middle-aged, nonsmoking men and women indicated that poor sleep—measured by the total amount of sleep, the degree of nighttime wakening and how long it takes to get to sleep—may have more serious consequences for women. For women, poor sleep was associated with increased levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, measures of inflammation in the blood linked to heart disease and higher insulin levels. In fact, 33 percent of women considered poor sleepers had C-reactive protein levels associated with a high risk of heart disease. Authors of the study, published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, say the longer it takes a person to fall asleep, the greater the risk and that women taking a half-hour or more to fall asleep had the worst risk profiles.

Angina more common in women than men
Though men suffer more heart attacks than women, women are 20 percent more likely to have stable angina, say researchers publishing in the journal Circulation. Reviewing data on more than 400,000 people, the investigators compensated for risk factors such as smoking, but the increased risk persisted. Angina, a common and serious heart problem, is caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart. People with angina experience chest pain or discomfort after exercise or stress that usually goes away with rest. You can prevent or lower your risk for angina and coronary artery disease by taking these steps:
   •   Follow a healthy eating plan.
   •   Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
   •   Be physically active—after checking with your healthcare provider to find out what activities are best for you.
   •   Learn and practice ways to handle stress.

Diabetes may have a bedroom backlash
Experts are learning that diabetes can have a negative impact on a woman’s sex life, according to the Society for Women’s Health Research. Sexual dysfunction may be the result of diabetes-related nerve damage that causes decreased sexual arousal and lowered libido. Women with diabetes are also more likely to experience difficulties with diminished vaginal lubrication and may have recurring vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) caused by yeast infections, which can make sexual intercourse painful. Depression and anxiety may play a role in decreased interest as well. Sex is an important part of life and relationships, so have an open and honest discussion with your healthcare provider, who can help determine the cause and recommend proper therapy for you.