Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Positive steps for a healthier you
As you move through menopause and beyond, monitoring your health and taking care of yourself can play a significant role in how you feel and your well being.

• Schedule an annual checkup. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your healthcare provider about the changes you're experiencing and your overall health. Routine checks such as an annual Pap smear may help detect potential cancers. The sooner problems are detected, the sooner they may be treated
  
  If you're taking hormone therapy (HT), use these visits to review your treatment plan and ask any questions about HT and any medications you may be taking
• Get a mammogram. As you age, your risk for breast cancer rises. A Mammography (mammogram) is the most common screening method for detecting abnormalities in the breast. A mammogram is a low-intensity x-ray that can find more than 90% of breast cancers
  
  It is recommended that women 40 years of age and older have a mammogram every year so long as they are in good health
• Get a bone mineral density (BMD) test. During menopause, women begin to lose more bone than what is replaced, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens the bones to the point where they become fragile and break easily. A BMD test assesses your risk of developing osteoporosis, and is an accurate indicator of your bone health

Consider lifestyle changes

Additionally, the following lifestyle tips can make a big difference in how you feel.

• Create balance. Emotional health during this time requires making a conscious effort to balance the obligations of work and caring for others with the need to look after yourself. It's important to take time for yourself, talk with friends, do the activities you enjoy, and maintain a healthy sense of humor
• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise may help with mood swings, weight gain, and general health. For healthy bones, aim to do weight-bearing forms of exercise such as walking, jogging, or dancing 3 times a week
• Eat a healthy diet. Make a point of choosing foods that are low in fat, high in fiber and rich in calcium. Reach for healthy alternatives such as fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, soy foods and fat-free dairy foods
• Stay intimate. Along with menopause, you may enjoy a new sense of sexual freedom—no more periods! However, with this new freedom, you may also experience a new set of challenges

Lower levels of estrogen in your body can cause your genital area to become drier and thinner, possibly making sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Lack of sleep can further add to a decreased level of sexual desire. While ANGELIQ^® tablets (drospirenone/estradiol) can help alleviate vaginal dryness, talking with your partner about each other's needs and expectations can also go a long way.

Remember, just because you have gone through menopause and no longer need to worry about birth control doesn't mean you are not still at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV (AIDS). Condoms are still a reliable way to protect yourself.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is ANGELIQ used for?

ANGELIQ is used after menopause to:

• Reduce moderate to severe hot flashes
• Treat moderate to severe dryness, itching, and burning in or around the vagina
  • When prescribing solely for vaginal dryness, other treatments should be considered

Who should not use ANGELIQ?

Do not use ANGELIQ if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). ANGELIQ contains a progestin to decrease the chances of getting cancer of the uterus. If you do not have a uterus, you do not need a progestin and you should not use ANGELIQ.

Do not start taking ANGELIQ if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke or heart attack in the past year, currently have or have had blood clots, have kidney disease, liver disease, or disease of your adrenal glands, are allergic to ANGELIQ or any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

What are the warnings of less common but serious side effects of ANGELIQ?

Warnings of less common but serious side effects of ANGELIQ include breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, dizziness and faintness, changes in speech, severe headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, pains in your legs, changes in vision, and vomiting. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these warning signs, or any other unusual symptom that concerns you.

What are common side effects of ANGELIQ?

Common side effects of ANGELIQ include headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For important risk and use information, please see the full prescribing information.