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UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE
What are the stages of menopause?
Menopause is only one of several stages in the reproductive life of a woman. The whole menopause transition is divided into four main stages known as:
1. Premature Menopause - menopause that happens before the age of 40, whether it is natural or induced. Women who enter menopause early get symptoms similar to those of natural menopause, like hot flashes, emotional problems, vaginal dryness, and decreased sex drive. For some women with early menopause, these symptoms are severe. Also, women who have early menopause tend to get weaker bones faster than women who enter menopause later in life. This raises their chances of getting osteoporosis and breaking a bone.
Premature menopause can happen for the following reasons: chromosome defects, genetics, autoimmune diseases, surgery to remove the ovaries, or chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatments for cancer.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/premature.cfm
2. Pre-Menopause - refers to the entirety of a woman's life from her first to her last regular menstrual period. It is best defined as a time of "normal" reproductive function in a woman.
3. Perimenopause - means "around menopause" and is a transitional stage of two to ten years before complete cessation of the menstrual period and is usually experienced by women from 35 to 50 years of age. This stage of menopause is characterized by hormone fluctuations, which cause the typical menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes.
Perimenopause marks the time when your body begins the transition to menopause. It includes the years leading up to menopause — anywhere from two to eight years — plus the first year after your final period. There is no way to tell in advance how long it will last or how long it will take you to go through it. It's a natural part of aging that signals the ending of your reproductive years.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/perimenopause.cfm
4. Menopause - represents the end stage of a natural transition in a woman's reproductive life. Menopause is the point at which estrogen and progesterone production decreases permanently to very low levels. The ovaries stop producing eggs, and a woman is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. It is often called the "change of life." During perimenopause, a woman's body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row, and there are no other causes for this change.
As you near menopause, you may have symptoms from the changes your body is making. Many women wonder if these changes are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms. You can feel better by learning all you can about menopause, and talking with your doctor about your health and your symptoms. If you want to treat your symptoms, your doctor can tell you more about your options and help you make the best treatment choices.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/menopause.cfm
5. Postmenopause - refers to a woman's time of life after menopause has occurred. It is generally believed that the postmenopausal phase begins when 12 full months have passed since the last menstrual period. From here a woman will be postmenopausal for the rest of her life.
Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/
How do I know if I am entering menopause? What are the signs?
Every woman's period will stop at menopause. Some women have no other symptoms. But many women notice changes in body, mind, and mood at this stage of life. We don’t always know if these changes are related to menopause, aging, or both.
Some changes you might notice include:
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Changes in your period. The time between periods and the flow from month to month may be different.
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Abnormal bleeding or "spotting." This is common as you near menopause. But if your periods have stopped for 12 months in a row, and you still have "spotting," you should talk to your doctor to rule out serious causes, like cancer.
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Night sweats. Hot flashes that occur while a woman is sleeping and cause her to perspire. They can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.
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Sleeping problems. Lack of sleep can affect your mood, health, and ability to cope with everyday stress.
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Vaginal changes. The vagina may become dry and thin, and sex and vaginal exams may be painful. You also might get more vaginal infections.
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Thinning of your bones. This may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis).
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Emotional changes. May include mood swings, sadness, tearfulness, and irritability. Although menopause does not cause depression, women are at a higher risk of depression in the years leading up to menopause. Some researchers think that the decrease in estrogen levels plays a role in the onset of depression in some women. Also, lack of sleep can strain a woman’s emotional health.
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Urinary problems. You may have leaking, burning or pain when urinating, or leaking when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
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Problems with memory and staying focused. You may notice you are more forgetful or have trouble concentrating.
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Sex drive decreases. You may have less interest in sex and changes in sexual response.
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Weight fluctuation. Weight gain or increase in body fat around your waist.
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Hair loss or thinning. Hair thinning or loss is a problem for some women.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/menopause.cfm
My hot flashes aren’t as intense as the ones my friends describe. They’re actually more ‘warm’ than ‘hot’. Is this normal?
While hot flashes (or flushes) are very common in perimenopause, not all women experience them, and not all flashes are of the same intensity. Hot flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most hot flashes last 30 seconds to 5 minutes. They usually disappear within a few years after menopause. However, up to 10-15% of women experience hot flashes for years.
Source: www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=42719
Is bleeding after menopause normal?
Changes in bleeding are normal as you near menopause. There are also other common causes of bleeding in the years after menopause. The decline in your body's estrogen levels can cause tissues lining the vagina to become thin, dry, and less elastic. Sometimes this lining can become broken or easily inflamed and bleed. It can also become injured during sex or even during a pelvic exam.
Once you've reached menopause, though, you should report any bleeding that you have to your HCP. Uterine bleeding after menopause could be a sign of other health problems.
Source: www.womenshealth.about.com/od/menopause/f/menobleeding.htm
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BIRTH CONTROL
Now that I’ve begun menopause, do I still have to be concerned about birth control?
You will know for sure that you have experienced menopause when you have not had your period for an entire year. Until you have gone one year without a period, you should still use birth control or abstinence if you do not want to become pregnant.
Source: www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=42719
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RELIEF FROM MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
I’m confused as to how to deal with my symptoms. Where should I start?
Since we're always learning more about menopause treatment options and hormone therapy, it can be confusing to figure out how to treat or manage menopausal symptoms. It is important for you to have a doctor that you trust, so you can have an open talk about your concerns and your treatment options. Then you can make informed decisions about your health that you feel good about. If you feel that you have talked openly with your doctor and still don't feel satisfied, you should think about getting a second opinion.
Knowing how to talk to your doctor or other members of your health care team can help you get the information you need about menopause. Your doctor will tell you, as you near menopause, that you may have symptoms from the changes your body is making. For some women, their menopause symptoms will go away over time without treatment. Other women will choose treatment for their symptoms.
Talk to your doctor about how to best manage menopause. Talk about your symptoms and whether they bother you. Make sure the doctor knows your medical history and your family medical history. This includes whether you are at risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. Remember that your decision is never final. You can, and should review it with your doctor during a checkup. Your needs may change, and so might what we know about menopause.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/treatment/
How can I reduce some of the symptoms I’m experiencing?
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Hot flashes.
Keep track of when hot flashes happen. You might be able to identify a pattern or triggers, which you can avoid. Dress in layers and keep a fan in your home or workplace. If lifestyle changes don’t seem to help, ask your doctor about menopausal hormone therapy or nonhormonal prescription drugs. Research has found that nonhormonal prescription drugs, such as antidepressants, help hot flashes in some women.
[ According to MedicineNet.com, over-the-counter therapies you may want to try include Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E, Ibuprofen and soy protein found in foods. ]
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Vaginal dryness.
Try an over-the-counter water-based vaginal lubricant. Prescription estrogen replacement creams and tablets also can help restore moisture and tissue health. If you have spotting or bleeding while using estrogen creams, you should see your doctor.
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Problems sleeping.
One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. But avoid physical activity close to bedtime. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, large meals, and working right before bedtime. You might want to drink something warm, such as herb tea or warm milk, before bedtime. Keeping your bedroom cool and dark also can help. Avoid napping during the day and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day.
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Memory problems.
Some women complain about problems with memory and concentration. But there is no proof that menopause causes memory problems. Try to get enough sleep and engage in physical and social activity. If forgetfulness or other mental problems worry you or are affecting your everyday functioning, talk to your doctor.
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Mood swings.
Try to get enough sleep and be physically active. Set limits for yourself, and look for positive ways to ease daily stress. Think about going to a support group for women who are going through the same thing as you, or getting counseling to talk through your problems and fears. Talk to your doctor if mood swings are causing you distress. Medicines might help. For instance, menopausal hormone therapy might help if mood swings are related to disrupted sleep caused by night sweats. Also, your doctor can look out for signs of depression, which is a serious illness that needs treatment.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/menopause.cfm
What is a good way to track my symptoms?
Track Your Symptoms
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Symptoms |
Things I've tried to help them |
Questions for my doctor |
New things to try |
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Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/chart.htm
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FEELING & LOOKING GOOD
How do I overcome irritability or moodiness that comes with menopause?
Midlife is often considered a period of increased risk for depression in women. Some women report mood swings, irritability, tearfulness, anxiety, and feelings of despair in the years leading up to menopause. But the reason for these emotional problems isn’t always clear. Research shows that menopausal symptoms such as sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue can affect mood and well-being. The drop in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause might also affect mood. Or it could be a combination of hormone changes and menopausal symptoms.
But changes in mood also can have causes that are unrelated to menopause. If you are having emotional problems that are interfering with your quality of life, it is important to discuss them with your doctor. Talk openly with your doctor about the other things going on in your life that might be adding to your feelings. Other things that could cause feelings of depression and/or anxiety during menopause include:
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Having depression before menopause
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Feeling negative about menopause and getting older
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Increased stress
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Having severe menopausal symptoms
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Smoking
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Not being physically active
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Not being happy in your relationship or not being in a relationship
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Not having a job
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Not having enough money
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Having low self-esteem (how you feel about yourself)
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Not having the social support you need
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Feeling disappointed that you can't have children anymore
If you need treatment for these symptoms, you and your doctor can work together to find a treatment that is best for you. Depression during perimenopause and menopause is treated in much the same way as depression that strikes at any other time life. If your mood is affecting your quality of life, here are a few things you can do:
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Try to get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day. Keep you room cool and dark. Use your bed only for sleeping and sex. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, large meals, or physical activity before bed.
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Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
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Set limits for yourself, and look for positive ways to unwind and ease daily stress. Try relaxation techniques, reading a book, or spending some quiet time outdoors.
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Talk to your friends who are in perimenopause or menopause or go to a support group for women who are going through the same thing as you. You also can get counseling to talk through your problems and fears.
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Ask your doctor about therapy or medicines. Menopausal hormone therapy can reduce symptoms that might be causing your moodiness. Antidepressants might also help.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/mental/
What can I do about facial hair I’ve developed as a result of menopause?
Although many women do not experience any additional facial hair growth, it can be a problem for some. There are a number of hair removal options available to you, including waxing, depilatories (liquids or creams that remove body hair) and laser hair removal. Check with your doctor or a medical aesthetician to determine the right hair removal method for you and to ensure that it will not harm your skin.
Source: www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=42719
How do I keep fit while going through menopause?
You can feel better by having a healthy lifestyle — don't smoke, eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Include grains, especially whole grains and a variety of dark green leafy vegetables, deeply colored fruit, and dry beans and peas in your eating plan. Also, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.
Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.
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To lower the risk of chronic disease, get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.
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To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain, get about 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week, while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.
Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/eating/
What is osteoporosis and how can I avoid it?
Day in and day out your body is busy breaking down old bone and replacing it with new healthy bone. Estrogen helps control bone loss. So losing estrogen around the time of menopause causes women to begin to lose more bone than is replaced. In time, bones can become weak and break easily. This condition is called osteoporosis.
Here are five steps to enhance bone health and prevent osteoporosis:
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Note: The information in these FAQs has been compiled from reputable sources, which we have cited for each question. Sanita sal does not hold responsibility for the accuracy of the content, nor any behaviors taken with regard to the FAQs.
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Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
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Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
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Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
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Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
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When appropriate, have a bone density test and take medication
Source: www.nof.org/prevention/index.htm |
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