It's National Women's Health Week, and Mayo Clinic is bringing attention to menopause. Doctors say the condition, which is often taken lightly, has been linked to serious health consequences.
"Not only have hot flashes been linked to risk factors like high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. They've recently been tied to hard outcomes like heart attack," said women’s health expert, Dr. Stephanie Faubion.
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The Women's Health Specialist also has an important message for those who have missed regular screenings, during the pandemic.
"Some of the women who've delayed coming in, have really been struggling with mental health issues. Nothing is going to happen if a woman isn't doing well in terms of her mental health; she's not going to be exercising, she's not going to be eating right. She might be drinking more than she should, and she probably isn't getting screening so all of this is is just compounded."
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Dr. Faubion also directs the North American Menopause Society. The distinguished doctor also dispelled some myths about the condition.
"The good news is," she said, "women who had a good sex life before menopause can continue to have a good life after menopause. So if a woman finds sex to be important, she will prioritize it and and figure out how to navigate the changes that occurred."