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| |  Managing Menopause at Work PHILADELPHIA, June 19, 1996 -- Wyeth-Ayerst Corporation today released the following: Imagine yourself in the middle of a key presentation to your colleagues and all of a sudden a hot flash strikes. Do you subtly fan yourself or run out of the room in embarrassment? If either has happened to you on the job, you aren't alone. Nearly three in four working women aged 45 to 65 have firsthand experience with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Yet with treatment such as one-tablet PREMPRO(TM) (conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets), a continuous regimen, and one-tablet PREMPHASE(R) (conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets), a cyclic regimen, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), many women with a uterus are able to alleviate unwelcome and unexpected symptoms. Take charge during menopause by learning more about what options are available to help you manage symptoms. Empower yourself with the facts so you can enjoy this new phase of your life. "There's no need to suffer from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Menopause is a manageable transition period that all women will go through," said Lila Nachtigall, M.D., Professor of OB/GYN, New York University School of Medicine, and Director, Women's Wellness Center, NYU Medical Center. "For many women, treatments such as HRT may provide great relief from menopausal symptoms. Women are living longer than ever before, so we can look to HRT for long-term protection against osteoporosis and to better manage our health and well-being during these transition and postmenopausal stages." "Unfortunately, many women are confused about menopause and don't fully understand that this is a normal life stage. It can be associated with symptoms which are easily addressed by consulting with a health care provider," said Wulf H. Utian, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chairman of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, and Chairman of the Steering Committee, The North American Menopause Society. "To help dispel the falsehoods and myths, as well as to help better educate women on how to manage their symptoms, June has been designated as 'National Menopause Awareness Month.' With women now living longer and living more than one third of their lives after menopause, they need to be aware of potential long-term health implications. We have dedicated an entire month to menopause awareness to empower women with the facts they need to take control of their well-being during their 50-plus stage of life." In the meantime, get ready to deliver a winning presentation. Take charge of symptoms by learning about what options are available to help you manage them. Use the facts to help you map out a strategy on how to manage menopause at work. Here are some lifestyle tips from Betty Forbes, Past National President, Business and Professional Women/USA, to get you started: -- Thirty-eight percent of women who have experienced any menopausal symptoms report having experienced a hot flash in an embarrassing situation at work. If a hot flash does happen to hit during a key presentation, you may choose just to ignore it, but if you prefer to acknowledge it, you may find humor helpful to handle the situation. Say something to the effect of "either I'm having a hot flash or a deadline meltdown!" Excuse yourself, cool off and come back smiling. -- If you're doing a presentation, arrive early to make sure the room is well ventilated. Keep a glass of cool water at your side. And if you're using an overhead projector, move away from the heat and towards your audience. This strategy will also give you a presentation advantage by shortening the distance between you and your audience, thereby enabling you to better interact. The simple move away from the projector can help you keep your "cool" at the same time. -- Instead of telling all when it comes to your menopause experience, find another woman at work who has been through it and can serve as a source of support. You may take comfort in learning that nearly seven in ten working women have discussed menopause with someone at work. -- Plan your wardrobe carefully. If you think you may experience a hot flash at work, it's time to set aside the silk blouses and choose breathable cottons instead. Thigh-high stockings are a cool alternative to regular pantyhose, especially on warm days. Also, keep an extra change of clothes at the office. -- If nighttime sweats kept you from getting a good night's sleep, ask if you can work at home for the morning rather than calling in sick. If that's not an option, go into the office a couple of hours later after you've had time to relax and get yourself together. Compensate in other ways to make up for the times when symptoms are too much. For example, go to optional meetings, offer your input on special projects, join the company's sports team, or work overtime on days you feel more effective. -- Take a leisurely walk at lunch time to give your body and mind a chance to unwind. -- Look for sources of support on the Internet. Enlist the support of an on-line buddy. -- Take charge. Ask your health care provider about HRT. For many women, HRT may be the only tip they need to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Understanding a Menopausal Coworker "If you believe one of your female coworkers may also be going through menopause, share your tips with her. You'll feel good knowing you can help someone else take charge of their situation, and she may be able to give you some good advice, too," says Ms. Forbes. "As a result of this open communication, you'll help educate more women about their options so that they too can learn to feel good about this change of life," she adds. Short-Term Benefits of HRT Short-term, HRT may alleviate the symptoms of menopause, namely, hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of heat that spread over the body, often accompanied by a flushed face and sweating. With vaginal dryness, vaginal tissues may become dryer, thinner and less flexible and can result in painful intercourse. If not managed, these can be particularly disturbing symptoms of menopause. So take charge of your symptoms and talk to your health care provider about whether HRT is right for you. Long-Term Benefits of HRT For women at risk, HRT is also prescribed to help protect against the development of osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to deteriorate and become brittle and often accompanies menopause. "Approximately one in four women over age 50 are at risk for osteoporosis," said Dr. Nachtigall. "The lack of estrogen after menopause is the single most important contributor to bone loss in women." Osteoporosis, known as the "silent disease," often goes undetected until a fracture occurs. This serious disease causes 1.5 million fractures each year. Contraindications and Side Effects Some women should not take HRT. A woman should make sure her doctor or health care provider is aware of her personal or family health history before taking HRT. This history should include instances of breast cancer, breast lumps, abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal blood clotting, severe headache, dizziness and liver disease. Side effects of hormones should be considered. If you have not had a hysterectomy, estrogen alone can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus. The addition of progestin, however, may reduce this risk. That is why many doctors and health care providers now prescribe progestin in conjunction with estrogen for their patients who have a uterus. Progestins may have unfavorable effects on blood sugars, which might make a diabetic condition worse. The most common side effects are breast tenderness, headaches and abdominal pain. Women who are pregnant should not take HRT because of possible risks to the fetus. A Leader in Women's Health Care Wyeth-Ayerst Corporation, a division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE: AHP), is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines and generic pharmaceuticals. As a world leader in women's health care, the company is committed to improving the health care options available to women through ongoing research efforts and patient education programs. Wyeth-Ayerst is the only U.S. company with a major research facility devoted exclusively to women's health. The Wyeth-Ayerst Women's Health Research Institute is actively engaged in research that addresses the health care needs women face during all phases of their lives. American Home Products Corporation is a multibillion-dollar company that ranks among the top companies in the world in sales of pharmaceuticals and health care products. It is also a leader in agricultural products, animal health care products, medical devices and food products. Tips for Managing Menopause at Work For many women, hot flashes can be managed with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In the meantime, here are some additional tips to help prevent menopausal symptoms from tripping you on your way up the corporate ladder. -- Preparedness plan. If you have an important meeting, arrive early, make sure the room is well ventilated and keep a glass of cool water close by. -- Crisis management. If a hot flash hits at work, there are options. You may try ignoring it, but if you prefer to acknowledge it, humor may help. The popular saying, "Today's women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges," is one way to draw attention away from embarrassing symptoms. -- Office buzz. Lend support to your colleagues who may be going through menopause. Sharing experiences may help you manage the heat on the corporate scene. -- Executive material. Silk blouses are a menopausal "don't." Try breathable cottons and wear layers. -- Maximize productivity. If symptoms of menopause are making you feel out of control and stressed, take charge of the things you can. Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet, take breaks at work and remember to reserve time for yourself when you arrive home. -- Take charge. Ask your health care provider about HRT. For many women, HRT may be the only tip they need to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
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