Uganda, Feb. 12 -- I am 56 years old and until recently, I weighed 59kgs. However, I now weigh 87kgs and although I have tried to lose the excess weight, it will not go. Why? Pelusi

Dear Pelusi,

At 56, it is likely that you have already stopped having periods (menopause). When a woman takes at least one year without having their periods, then that woman is said to have reached menopause. In Uganda, just as the rest of the world, the average age of menopause is about 50 years.

Much as many women about to reach or those who have reached menopause may experience the nasty symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes and weight gain among others, some women may not.

The weight gain experienced is usually ...