According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), over one- third of all women in the United States are over the age of 50, and another 20 million women of the Baby Boomer generation will make the transition to menopause within the next decade.

Menopause, or cessation of ovarian function, often produces troubling problems such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, headaches, dry skin, excessive vaginal dryness and shrinkage of genital tissues, and urinary incontinence. It also increases a woman's risk of both heart disease and osteoporosis (brittle bone disease).

Today, women in the United States can expect to live 30 years beyond the onset of menopause (which occurs, on average, around age 51 or 52, but which can happen earlier due to heredity, health conditions, exposure to radiation or chemotherapeutic agents, surgical removal of the ovaries, or any surgery which compromises blood flow to the ovaries). It is therefore is extremely important that women be completely informed about menopause so that proper health decisions can be made to ensure optimum quality of life in later years.

Prevention of health problems associated with menopause can make a highly positive difference. Some of the best sources of consumer-friendly information I've seen on the subject to date include:

Menopause News

This is a newsletter about menopause, midlife, and other women s health issues published six times a year by Judith S. Askew. Annual subscriptions cost $24.00 (U.S.) for individuals and $30 for institutions. To subscribe, contact Judy at Menopause News, 2074 Union Street, San Francisco, California 94123, (415) 567-2368, 1-800-241-MENO.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

ACOG publishes excellent education pamphlets on menopause, midlife, and many, many other aspects of women's health. To request copies, contact: ACOG, Office of Public Information, 409 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2188, Telephone: (202) 484-3321, FAX: (202) 479-6826.

Seasons

This is a glossy color magazine published every two months by Wyeth- Ayerst Laboratories, makers of Premarin estrogen tablets, a hormone replacement therapy for women. Katherine Lawrence is the executive editor, and women who take Premarin may obtain a free subscription by writing to: Seasons magazine, 100 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10013 or by calling 1-800-444-0494.

Krames Communications

Krames markets a line of professionally-produced booklets, brochures, and videos on a wide variety of medical conditions, health concerns, and employee wellness and safety issues. Pertaining to menopause, they currently offer booklets on hormone replacement therapy, menopause, and osteoporosis priced at $1.25, $1.25, and $1.35 (U.S.) each, respectively. To order or for more information, contact: Krames Communications, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, California 94066-3030, 1-800-333-3032, FAX: 1-415-244-4512.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) publishes a series of highly readable patient education brochures on over 60 individual topics called "AAFP Family Health Facts" which are available free of charge in single quantities. For instance, AAFP publishes one brochure entitled "Menopause: What to expect when your body is changing," and another entitled "Osteoporosis in Women: Keeping your bones healthy and strong." For more information, contact: AAFP,
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway,
Leawood,
KS 66211-2672
1-800-274-2237

For additional information on osteoporosis, contact: National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1150 17th St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036-4603, (202) 223-2226 , FAX: (202) 223-2237

For information via the Internet on optimum intake of calcium (which may help to prevent or reduce the effects of osteoporosis), contact National Institutes Of Health

For additional information on preventing heart disease, contact: The American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75231-4596, (214) 373-6300, 1-800- AHA- USA1,
Or The Franklin Institute - Virtual Heart Exhibit

American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) AMWA is a national association of women physicians which spearheads various health education efforts of benefit to women. For more information, contact:
AMWA,
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 400,
Alexandria, VA 22314,
(703) 838-0500

OWL (Older Women's League) OWL is a national membership organization dedicated to achieving economic, political and social equity for midlife and older women. Information:
666 11th Street NW, Suite 700,
Washington, DC 20001,
(202) 783-6686;
FAX: (202) 638-2356

Joel R. Cooper
The Medical Reporter/Joel R. Cooper Creative Services
Medical & Healthcare writing, editing and reporting
P.O. Box 370314
Denver, CO 80237
Telephone: (303) 337-6299; FAX: (303) 337- 9201