It's important to see your doctor during both perimenopause and post menopause for preventive health care as well as care of medical conditions that may occur with ageing. Although some problems attributed to ageing are unavoidable, others can benefit from lifestyle changes and medical treatments.

Talk to your doctor immediately if:

• Bleeding occurs more frequently than every 21 days.
• There is heavy bleeding that lasts more than seven days.

Complications

Several chronic medical conditions tend to appear after menopause. By becoming aware of these conditions, you can take steps to help reduce your risk.

• Cardiovascular Disease

The risk increases as soon as oestrogen levels start to decrease. Heart disease occurs in almost one third of menopausal women, yet you can do a great deal to reduce your risk: stop smoking, reduce high blood pressure, get regular aerobic exercise and eating a diet low in saturated fats and plentiful in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

• Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.

That's why it's especially important during this time to get adequate calcium and vitamin D in your diet and to exercise regularly. Strength training and weight-bearing activities such as walking and jogging are especially beneficial in keeping your bones strong.

• Urinary Incontinence

As the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose their elasticity, you may experience a frequent, sudden, strong urge to urinate (urge incontinence) or incontinence while coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence).

• Weight Gain

Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition. You may need to eat less - perhaps as many as 200 to 400 fewer calories a day - and exercise more, just to maintain your weight.