Women are being urged to take action at the time of their menopause to help avoid chronic diseases later in life.

According to a new report by the International Menopause Society (IMS), women become vulnerable to chronic disease such as heart disease, dementia and osteoporosis, in the decade after the menopause. However, they can take preventative steps at the time of their menopause to reduce their risk of developing these conditions.

The report noted that among women in developed countries, natural menopause generally occurs between the ages of 50 and 52. In less developed countries, it often occurs in the late 40s.

The report also emphasised that around one-third of a woman's life is lived after they go through the menopause - a significant amount of time - therefore good health is essential.

It called on women to look at three specific areas:
-Lifestyle measures - exercise and a healthy diet
-Prevention of weight gain
-Being involved in mentally stimulating activities.

"The main message we want to put forward is that, at the menopause, women have a chance to take steps which will help determine whether they go on to live a healthy and active life.

"There are some conditions, for example osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, which are clearly directly associated with the menopause, whereas others are more associated with increasing age. Menopause provides women with an opportunity to review their health and lifestyle and to make changes which will benefit their future wellbeing," commented the study's lead author, Dr Roger Lobo.

He emphasised that there are many are ‘simple but effective' steps a woman can take.

"Do a little more exercise, eat a little less, if you consume alcohol, do so in moderation," he said.

Meanwhile, the report also called on women to undergo regular health check-ups for chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. It also noted that certain drugs may benefit some women. For example, taking oestrogen and some types of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) within 10 years of starting the menopause, or under the age of 60, has been shown to reduce the incidence of heart disease.

"Various studies have confirmed that oestrogen and certain types of HRT are beneficial if started soon after the menopause. Interestingly, data is emerging that some medications commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, such as statins and aspirin, work well in men but not in women - most of the trials have mainly involved men. So HRT may be the best treatment to help fend off coronary artery disease in women," Dr Lobo said.

Heart disease is currently the biggest killer of women worldwide.

Commenting on the report, IMS president, Rod Baber, emphasised that the main message to women is that they should use the menopause ‘as a reason to have a health audit, so that they can have an active say in how they are going to live the rest of their lives'.

The report is published in the journal of the IMS, Climacteric.

For more information on heart disease, see our Heart Disease Clinic here