Women's Healths
Menopause
For most women, menopause occurs
between the ages of 45 and 55, when the production of female hormones (estrogen
and progesterone) begins to decline. These hormonal changes will cause irregular
menstrual periods before periods stop altogether. You may also experience hot
flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Every woman is unique and will experience
menopause differently.
Osteoporosis is also directly linked
to the decrease in estrogen that comes with menopause. See
Osteoporosis.
Women can expect to live
1/3 of their lives after menopause, so it is important to manage any
problems related to menopause.
Irregular
periods may mean that a woman's menstrual flows are lighter or heavier
than usual; that the intervals between periods are shorter
or longer; or that there is spotting between periods. Some women have regular
periods until their periods stop suddenly, and others have irregular periods
for a long time until menopause.
Although you are less fertile during
the years before the onset of menopause, you may continue to release eggs (ovulate),
so you could become pregnant. If you do not wish to become pregnant, continue
to use birth control until your doctor
confirms that you have reached menopause or until you have not had a menstrual
period for 12 months.
Hot flashes
are sudden periods of intense heat, sweating, and flushing. A hot flash usually
begins in the chest and spreads out to the neck, face, and arms. Seventy-five
to
80 percent of women going through menopause will have hot flashes. Hot flashes
may occur as frequently as once an hour and last as long as
3 to 4 minutes. If they occur at night, they may disrupt your sleep patterns.
Disrupted sleep can lead to insomnia, fatigue, irritability, or inability to
concentrate.
Hot flashes usually stop within 1
or 2 years but may persist for several years.
Vaginal dryness
, the loss of lubrication and moisture in the vagina, may lead to soreness during
and after sexual intercourse. These vaginal changes may also increase your risk
for vaginal infections and urinary incontinence. See Vaginitis on See
Vaginitis and Urinary Incontinence on See
Urinary Incontinence.
Mood changes
are caused by the hormonal and physical changes of menopause. Symptoms such
as
nervousness, lack of energy, insomnia, moodiness, or depression are common.
Many women think that menopause means
emotional upset and the loss of sexuality. On the other hand, many women look
forward to the freedom that menopause brings, particularly freedom from menstrual
cycle discomfort and the need for birth control. Understanding what is happening
to you and using home care techniques to relieve any discomfort will help you
through menopause.
Irregular periods
Keep a written record of your
periods in case you need to discuss them with a health professional.
Hot flashes
Hot flashes usually improve
after
1 to 2 years. In the meantime:
Keep your home and workplace cool.
Wear layers of loose clothing that can be easily removed.
Drink lots of water and juices. Drink cold beverages
rather than hot ones.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid the heat
generated by digesting large amounts of food.
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Vaginal dryness
Use a water-soluble vaginal
lubricant, such as Astroglide or Replens, to ease discomfort during sexual
intercourse. Vegetable oil will also work. Do not use Vaseline or other
petroleum-based products.
Mood changes
The best thing you can do for
yourself is realize that you are not alone. Discuss your symptoms with
other women. Give yourself, and ask others for, abundant amounts of love,
caring, and understanding. Try to develop a relaxed attitude about menopause.
Tension and anxiety may make your symptoms worse.
Hormone therapy may improve hot
flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. If these symptoms are very bothersome,
talk to your doctor about hormone therapy. See
Hormone Therapy.
If your menstrual periods are unusually heavy, irregular,
or prolonged ( 1
to 2
times longer than normal).
If bleeding occurs between periods when your periods have
been regular.
If bleeding recurs after periods have stopped for 6 months.
If your symptoms are interfering with your life and Home Treatment does not help (see Home Treatment).
If you are considering hormone therapy.
If you have unexplained bleeding (different from what your
health professional told you to expect) while you are taking hormones.
| Hormone Therapy |
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During and after menopause,
a woman's body produces much less of the hormone estrogen. Hormone
therapy is often prescribed to treat symptoms of menopause and to
reduce a woman's risk for osteoporosis. It also may reduce the risk
of heart disease. There are 2 types of hormone therapy:
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). ERT is estrogen
alone. Because ERT may increase the
risk of cancer in the lining of
the uterus (endometrial cancer),
it is usually prescribed only
for women who have had a hysterectomy.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT combines
estrogen with progestin, another female hormone. Progestin reduces
the effect of estrogen on the uterine lining and protects against
cancer of the uterus.
Hormone therapy reduces
the
discomfort of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and
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vaginal dryness. However,
hormone therapy can have unpleasant side effects, including bloating,
cramping, nausea, breast tenderness, and irregular vaginal bleeding.
Hormone pills are taken
every day. Some forms of hormone therapy are available as skin patches.
There is very little risk in taking hormone therapy for 1 year or
less to manage symptoms of menopause. However, hormone therapy is
not recommended for women who have had breast cancer, trouble with
blood clots, liver disease, or undiagnosed uterine bleeding.
The sooner hormone therapy is started and the longer it
is used, the more protection it gives against osteoporosis (and
possibly heart disease). Evaluate your risk for osteoporosis (See
Osteoporosis) and heart disease and talk to your doctor before
deciding whether hormone therapy is a good idea for you.
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