THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601110139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JO-ANN CLEGG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
Hang on to your hats, world. The female half of the baby boom generation is beginning to have hot flashes and, like everything else they've faced, they intend to take charge of the situation.
``We have a different group coming in for counseling concerning menopause now,'' Virginia Beach gynecologist Dr. Morris Elstein said. ``They've read a lot and they have a lot of good questions.''
Elstein, and other physicians who treat the primary and secondary problems of menopause, will be answering many of those questions when Virginia Beach General Hospital sponsors a two evening public program on the topic this month.
``Menopause. It's Called the Change of Life. Shouldn't You Find Out What's Going to Change?'' is the title of the series, which will be in the Central Library theater from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24.
The things that are going to change - and what can be done about them - will be the topic of Elstein's overview, which will be presented on the first evening.
``Menopause isn't a single event,'' said Elstein, who's been in practice in Virginia Beach for 14 years. ``It's a period of change and any one symptom may signal the onset of what's to come.''
The genial doctor, whose office holds a collection of whimsical characters including a lab-coated, stethescope-wearing frog, finds that by the time most of his patients ask about a particular symptom, they've already done their homework.
They're familiar with the studies concerning the downside of estrogen replacement therapy (possible increase in breast and uterine cancer) and the upside (decreased risk of cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis as well as an increase in general well-being and a decrease in night sweats and hot flashes).
By the time they see their doctors, many already have some idea of how they hope to handle the medical and psychological aspects of their own change of life.
Elstein is a strong believer that doctors should welcome those questions and respect the patients who ask them. ``The women I'm seeing now are interested in looking at everything,'' Elstein said, ``hormone replacement therapy, diet, exercise and homeopathic remedies.'' All techniques have their place, he said, although he expressed concern about some of the dietary supplements. ``There's little scientific information on most of them.'' Elstein said he believes that proper treatment during and following menopause has become increasingly more important as life expectancy has increased. ``In 1900, the average life span for a woman was about 40 years'' he said. ``Most women didn't live beyond menopause.''
Now women can expect to live at least a third of their lives after the climacteric, the point at which a woman's ovaries finally run out of eggs. ``We know we can provide a very good quality of life for the remaining - major - portion of a woman's life,'' Elstein said.
How well a woman manages the changes in her life has a lot to do with how well she has managed her life prior to menopause.
According to the doctor there are some basic fears that most women face as they deal with the aging process. They're concerned that they'll be less desirable and they know that, inevitably, they'll lose their ability to become pregnant.
In addition, they're confronted with a barrage of physical symptoms ranging from changes in their skin and hair to changes in the breasts and uterus. The ability to handle the changes has a lot to do with a woman's overall mental health.
According to DeeDee Becker, public relations associate at Virginia Beach General, the main purpose of the public program is to help women understand about aging events and what alternatives are available in helping them to cope.
``There's a lot of interest in the topic. Every time we have a program on any health issue we ask people who attend to suggest other topics. At least a quarter of the people who have come to our other presentations have suggested that we do something on menopause,'' she said.
In addition to Elstein's overview of the issue, Dr. Gary Siegel will present a talk on osteoporosis; Dr. Douglas DiBona will discuss hormone replacement therapy; Dr. John Alspaugh will speak on skin care and cosmetic surgery; and Dr. Laurence Enderson will talk about breast care. MEMO: The seminar is free and open to the public but advance reservations must
be made by calling Virginia Beach General at 481-8889.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JO-ANN CLEGG
``Menopause isn't a single event,'' says Dr. Morris Elstein. ``It's
a period of change and any one symptom may signal the onset of
what's to come.''
by CNB