Diet, exercise, and lifestyle in preparation for menopause.

This article reviewed conservative measures in dealing with issues of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease prevention. The scientific evidence for each singular intervention is difficult to extract because there are so many confounding parameters. Moreover, improvement in nutrition and diet has its greatest impact on premenopausal women. Needless to say, a total health care approach is still beneficial: exercise, a low-fat and normocalcemic diet, and proper use of ERT. These issues need to be a concern for both the pre- and postmenopausal woman. Gynecologists as primary health care providers need to incorporate this knowledge into their practices. They should clearly understand both the benefits and shortcomings of a nutritional and exercise approach in osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease prophylaxis. In using this knowledge premenopausally, they can better prepare women for the menopause.