Menopause

Menopause is a normal part of life and it marks the end of a woman’s fertile years. It is a normal condition that all women experience and is defined as having gone for one year without a period – then the woman is post menopause. Menopause typically happens between late 40’s or mid 50’s with an average age of 51 years. From puberty to the menopause, most women’s lives are governed by monthly cycles of periods, premenstrual tension, and ovulation. We spend most of the time dealing with the mood swings created by the fluctuating hormones. After the menopause all of this is gone and so the menopause can be a very positive experience. But the perimenopause – the time before you reach your last period – can be a very difficult time.

Causes & Symptoms

Women who go through menopause when they are younger than 40 years are said to have gone through a premature menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF). There are two issues with premature menopause. First a women’s fertility will cease when she may be trying to have a family and second the early onset is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, HRT may be recommended.

The menopause happens as estrogen levels fall as egg production stops and so the periods stop. The periods do not just stop abruptly but they become less frequent over several years. The menopause is complete in a woman under 50 years if she goes 24 months without period and for a woman over 50 it is only 12 months without a period.

Unfortunately the menopause can be a turbulent time as the drop in estrogen causes physical and emotional symptoms. The most common symptoms that a women might experience are listed below and these can persist for a few years but they will pass:

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Loss of sex drive
• Racing heart
• Periods can become heavy and more frequent
• Osteoporosis (coronary artery disease that are associated with osteoporosis)

Premature Menopause

The menopause should happen between the late 40s and mid 50s. Women who go through menopause when they are younger than 40 years are said to have gone through a premature menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF). There are two issues with premature menopause. First a women’s fertility will cease when she may be trying to have a family and second the early onset is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, HRT may be recommended.

Treatment For Menopause

Although menopause is a natural condition, it has been ‘medicalised’ and portrayed as an illness from the media and sometimes the medical establishment.

Some women will not need any treatment as they can tolerate the transient physical and emotional symptoms. To relieve symptoms, women can make diet and lifestyle changes, such as cutting out tea, coffee, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol. Women should take precautions to keep cool. Some will feel a benefit from doing exercise, especially weight bearing exercise and aerobic activity and also eating a healthy diet high in food for strong bones to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

But for some women, their symptoms will be severe and they may need medical care. The most efficient medication is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which is also called HT – hormone therapy. HRT is basically estrogen which can be given as a tablet, patch, implant, or cream in a similar way to contraceptives. It will completely get rid of hot flushes and some of the other symptoms. A lubricant can be used for vaginal dryness. Some GPs might give antidepressants for the mood swings or vitamin B6. There will be more on treatments in the next blogs.

Some women will take alternative therapies such as acupuncture but unfortunately there is no data to show that any of these are effective.

It is a totally individual decision whether to use any treatment for the menopause.

For more information on the menopause – search menopause on Global Women Connected.