While some people may also seek treatment for minor symptoms like hot flashes, it is when more serious symptoms occur that women should see a doctor. Osteoporosis occurs in the first few years of menopause whereby rapid bone loss is experienced thus making bones both weak and brittle. Many treatments are available including drugs such as Boniva. It is thus extremely important to consume more calcium during these years and also include Vitamin D in the diet in order to make calcium absorption easier. Physical exercise such as walking and jogging can also help in reducing bone loss and lending more strength to bones during menopause. Urinary incontinence may also be experienced by some women as their vaginal tissues and urethra loses their original elasticity. Women may be prescribed a medicine for urinary control or they may be asked to adopt lifestyle changes such as including Kegel exercise in their routine. These help in strengthening vaginal tissues and may offer some relief from incontinence.

The most serious problem apart from osteoporosis is that of developing heart diseases after menopause. With the decline in the estrogen, women may be at a greater risk of facing heart attack or a stroke. However women are still less likely to develop heart problems compared to men. Having said that, we must mention that menopause can increase the percentage of heart disease risk in women. "Studies show a woman's risk of heart disease intensifies drastically around the time of natural menopause,...

They must quit smoking, eat healthier by avoiding saturated fats in their diet and monitor their blood pressure closely. Weight gain associated with menopause can also lead to heart attacks and strokes and hence women are expected to keep their weight in check during menopause as it is believed that, "Weight gain is also a factor that may play a role in postmenopausal risk of heart disease. Maintaining a healthy weight often becomes difficult after your body experiences a change in hormone levels. Extra mass can take a toll on the body causing physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, all risk factors that can lead to heart attack and stroke."
Hormone therapy is normally used as a drastic measure to deal with irritating symptoms of menopause. This therapy may include taking the hormone estrogen in combination with progesterone or estrogen alone to relieve symptoms. There can be several ways in which they may be taken including orally, as a cream or gel, or in the form of a patch or IUD. The method depends on the purpose for which therapy is sought. However hormone therapy doesn't have any beneficial impact on the risk of heart disease or osteoporosis.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100223132015.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070403161904.htm