Maintain Your Health

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

• Simple steps such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and trying natural stress reducers like yoga or meditation can help you feel better and benefit your health overall. Before starting a new exercise program, talk with your healthcare provider about what types of exercise may be best for you.
• Get a mammogram. As you age, your risk for breast cancer rises. 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 making changes

Additionally, the following tips can make a big difference in how you feel. However, always check with your healthcare provider before making any of these lifestyle changes.

• 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, 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 an option you may choose to protect yourself.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is ANGELIQ used for?

ANGELIQ is used after menopause in women who have a uterus to:

• Reduce moderate to severe hot flashes
• Treat moderate to severe dryness, itching, and burning in or around the vagina.
  • If you use ANGELIQ only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina, talk with your healthcare provider about whether a topical vaginal product would be better for you.

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, 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, currently have or have had certain cancers. Estrogens may increase the chances of getting cancer of the breast or uterus.

What are possible side effects of ANGELIQ?

ANGELIQ is different from other hormonal medicines for menopausal symptoms because it contains drospirenone, and drospirenone may increase the potassium or lower sodium in your blood.

You should not take ANGELIQ if you have kidney, liver or adrenal disease because these conditions may also increase the potassium in your blood. Some other medicines may also increase potassium. If you regularly take another medicine that increases potassium levels, talk with your healthcare provider about whether ANGELIQ is right for you. In some situations, your healthcare provider may recommend testing your blood for potassium.

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

Less common but serious side effects of ANGELIQ include: breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, stroke, heart attack, blood clots, dementia, gallbladder disease and ovarian cancer.

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

Warning signs 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 you 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 breast pain, upper respiratory infection, stomach/abdominal cramps, headache, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, pain in arms, legs or back, flu syndrome, bloating, accidental injury, surgery and sinus infection.

ANGELIQ is available by prescription only.

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 about ANGELIQ, please see the full prescribing information.