Spring, the season of new beginnings, is an ideal time to take stock of your health. For women, particularly those age 45 and older, a health inventory will likely include menopause. Side effects that may occur during this natural stage of life can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. More important, the physical changes behind those symptoms may leave you at risk of long-term negative health effects.

As you tackle spring cleaning and begin the year's house projects, don't neglect your own "preventive maintenance." Explore the different menopause treatment options that are available today. The information you have and the choices you make can have important effects on current symptoms and future health outcomes.

More than 5,000 women a day enter menopause, according to Susan Wysocki, RNC, NP, FAANP, president and CEO, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health. Menopause is a process resulting from the gradual decrease in your body's estrogen production. The entire process may take two or more years and has officially occurred when you haven't had a period for 12 consecutive months. Recognizing changes in your period and the way your body feels are the best indicators that menopause has begun - more accurate than a blood test, since hormone levels can go up and down very often during this process.

Many women have been regaled with tales of others' menopause misfortune. The truth is, every woman is different in the scope of symptoms felt. In many cases hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness and irritability can occur. However, without taking action to alleviate and take care of your body properly during this time of change, more critical and potential long-term effects of menopause may begin to take hold, including bone loss and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

To combat the symptoms of menopause and to improve general well being, there are several steps you can take. Together with a group of physicians, Wysocki has developed a medical algorithm, which is a step-by-step methodology to help doctors, nurse practitioners and women to consider treatment of menopause symptoms in a way that meets individual needs.

The algorithm represents the first time that scientists have agreed that, for many women, nutritional supplements and changes in lifestyle should be among the first lines of defense in treating the symptoms of menopause.

-- Supplements: Calcium is essential for healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis. The recommended daily intake is 800 to 1000 mg ...