Skipping the Gym, Ladies? Try the Stairs

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 -- Older women don't have to hit the gym to stay healthy, because a stair-climbing workout appears to do the trick, researchers report.

Finding the right type of exercise can be difficult for postmenopausal women, according to the North American Menopause Society. For example, high-intensity resistance training reduces age-related muscle loss, but can increase blood pressure.

Range of Vaginal Dryness Products Can Help Postmenopausal Women: Study

MONDAY, March 19, 2018 -- For many women in or past menopause, vaginal dryness is a recurring symptom. But a new report finds that several treatments work equally well -- regardless of their price tag.

"The fact that all three treatments [tested] -- vaginal estradiol tablets, a vaginal moisturizer and the lubricating gel we used as a placebo -- were able to reduce symptoms is great news for women, since it means that regular use of any of these treatments is likely to have benefit, whether the cost is $20 or $200," said lead author Dr. Caroline Mitchell. She's an obstetrician-gynecologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Tackling Menopausal Sleep Problems From Other Angles

TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 -- Menopause can bring on a host of complaints, including sleep disruptions. Now, researchers say that hot flashes and depression are strongly tied to sleep woes.

Treating those two problems may help improve sleep for menopausal women, the new study findings suggest.

Menopause May Worsen Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

MONDAY, Feb. 5, 2018 -- Menopause may speed physical decline in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a new study suggests.

While rheumatoid arthritis rates in women are three times higher than in men, and women with RA have more severe physical decline and disability, sex-based differences in RA are poorly understood, the researchers said.