Menopause – Symptoms and Treatment Options
Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. The menopause is a natural part of aging that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s estrogen levels decline. However, around 1 in 100 women experience menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.
Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes, night sweats or chills
- Vaginal dryness
- Reduced sex drive (libido)
- Sleep problems & Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Loss of breast fullness
- Reduced muscle mass
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
After menopause, the risk of certain medical conditions increases:
- Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.
- Osteoporosis
- Urinary incontinence
- Weight gain
In such a shaky situation, the need to visit an expert gynecologist becomes the need of the hour.
Treatments to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that relieves menopausal symptoms by replacing estrogen
- Vaginal estrogen creams, lubricants or moisturizers for vaginal dryness
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help with low mood and anxiety
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight and stay fit
It’s worth searching for a hospital near me on the internet these days and talking to an expert if you have menopausal symptoms that are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause before 45 years of age.
Your doctor can usually confirm whether you are menopausal based on your symptoms and a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you’re under 45.
