Going through Change Menopause Problems

Menopause is time in a woman’s life when her periods (menstruation) eventually stop and the body goes through changes that no longer allow her to get pregnant. It is a natural event that normally occurs in women age 45 – 55. During menopause, a woman’s ovaries stop making eggs and they produce less oestrogen and progesterone. Changes in these hormones cause menopause symptoms. Periods occur less often and eventually stop. Sometimes this happens suddenly. But most of the time, periods slowly stop over time.Menopause is complete when you have not had a period for 1 year. This is called postmenopause. Women who are post -menopausal can no longer get pregnant. Medical menopause is when medical treatments cause a drop in oestrogen. This can happen if your ovaries are removed, or if you receive chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary from woman to woman. They may last 5 or more years. S ome women may have worse symptoms than others. Symptoms of medical menopause can be more severe and start more suddenly. The first thing you may notice is that your periods start to change. They might occur more often or less often. Some women might get their period every 3 weeks. This might last for 1-3 years before the periods completely stop. Common symptoms of menopause include:

Menstrual periods that occur less often and eventually stop
Heart pounding or racing – Awarenss of heartbeat (palpitations
Hot flashes, usually worst during the first 1-2 years
Night sweats
Skin flushing
Sleeping problems (insomnia)

Other symptoms of menopause may include:

Decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation
Forgetfulness (in some women)
Headaches
Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
Urine leakage
Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
Vaginal infections
Joint aches and pains

Signs and tests

Blood and urine tests can be used to look for changes in hormone levels. Test results can help to determine if you are close to menopause or if you have already gone through menopause.

Tests that may be done include: 1) Oestradiol – oestrogen level 2) FSH – Follicle Stimulating Hormome – produced by the pituitary gland in the brain, 3) LH – Luitenising Hormone 4) Pelvic Ultrasound and Bone Density Test, if necessary

Treatment

Treatment for menopause depends on many things, including how bad your symptoms are your overall health, and your preference. It may include lifestyle changes or hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy may help relieve severe hot flashes, night sweats, mood issues, or vaginal dryness.This treatment involves giving oestrogen with our without progesterone medication. For further information see “Hormone Replacement Thearapy”

Botanical products containing or acting like oestrogens may provide some of the benefits of oestrogen in relieving menopausal symptoms, but are not as well studied. Other botanicals, including Black Cohosh, have also shown some promise in reducing menopausal sweats, or hot flushes. Alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, are medication which may help improve mood swings, hot flashes, and other symptoms. These include:

Antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and fluoxetine (Prozac)
A blood pressure medicine called clonidine
Gabapentin, a seizure drug that also helps reduce hot flashes

Diet And Lifestyle Changes

Hormone replacement is not always needed to reduce symptoms of menopause. There are many steps you can take to reduce symptoms.

Diet changes:

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
Eat soy foods. Soy contains oestrogen
Get plenty of calcium and vitamin D in food or supplements

Exercise and relaxation techniques:.

Get plenty of exercise.
Do Kegel pelvic floor exercises every day. They can strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis, and improve sexual enjoyment.
Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on.

Other tips: