As women move through the menopausal years, the quality of their health may be affected by age in general but also by the changes that occur in their bodies as a result of menopause. Changes in health, either as a result of age or the effects of menopause, may vary depending on risk factors such as:
At this stage in life, your ovaries will be producing estrogen and progesterone erratically and at lower levels, causing changes in your periods until they eventually cease.
Other characteristics include mood swings, sleep disorders, hot flashes, and short-term memory loss. Aside from the common symptoms of menopause, other important health concerns arise. As estrogen levels fall, a woman’s risk for osteoporosis and heart disease increases.
ConnectiCare recommends a personal assessment with your physician, including a discussion of menopause and the risks you face as a woman. That’s why it’s important to schedule and keep your appointments for routine physical exams.
Your doctor may suggest some screening tests such as a bone mineral density test for osteoporosis, or recommend hormone replacement therapy or other therapies to help reduce the risks associated with menopause.
Here's a health risk checklist titled "Assess Your Risks" that can be used as a general guide for discussion. Please take a few minutes to complete the checklist. If your responses raise any issues about your health, be sure to address them with your physician at your next visit.
If you have a benefit question, please refer to your ConnectiCare Membership Agreement, Summary Plan Description or Benefit Summary, or call Member Services (the number can be found on your ID card.)
