Menopause is the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and fertility. Menopause cause many changes in your mental and physical health. As a result of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone in your ovaries you may get symptoms like hot
Menopause is the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and fertility.
Menopause cause many changes in your mental and physical health. As a
result of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone in your
ovaries you may get symptoms like hot flashes, weight gain, or vaginal
dryness. Vaginal atrophy contributes to vagina dryness and inflammation
and thinning of the vaginal tissues which adds to uncomfortable
intercourse. Menopause can also increase your risk for osteoporosis.
Frequently asked questions about menopause include:
What age I will be go through menopause?
Menopause
happens naturally with age. Your genes are the factor which is
responsible for the age at which menopause will happen. But surgery,
treatment of a disease, or an illness can be a cause of menopause. In
these cases it is called induced or surgical menopause, or premature
ovarian failure.
Usually around age of 51, it happens naturally. But
it can happen before you turn 40 which is called premature menopause.
The majority of women stop having periods somewhere between ages 45 to
55. The beginning stages of declining ovary function can start years
before that in some women. Others will continue to have menstrual
periods into their late 50s.
What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
The
period of time right before menopause begins refers to perimenopause.
During this period your body is beginning the transition into menopause.
Hormone production from your ovaries will begin to decline and you may
experience some symptoms commonly associated with menopause, like hot
flashes. Your menstrual cycle may become irregular, but it won’t cease
during the perimenopause stage.
You entered menopause, once you completely stop having a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months.
What symptoms are caused by the reduced levels of estrogen in my body?
Hot
flashes during menopause are the most common symptom experienced by
menopausal women. It can occur during the day or at night. Some women
may also experience muscle and joint pain or mood swings.
These
symptoms can also be caused by the aging process. So it is difficult to
determine whether these symptoms are caused by shifts in your hormones
or other factors.
What are the symptoms of having a hot flash?
Your
body temperature rises during a hot flash. It affect the top half of
your body, and your skin may even turn red in color or become blotchy
resulting in sweating, heart palpitations, and feelings of dizziness.
After the hot flash, you may feel cold. Hot flashes may come on daily or
even multiple times a day. You may experience them over the course of a
year or even several years.
Consuming alcohol or caffeine, eating
spicy food, feeling stressed or being somewhere hot can trigger hot
flashes. Being overweight and smoking may also make hot flashes worse.
Breathing exercises during a hot flash can help minimize it. Medications
such as birth control pills, hormone therapy, or even other
prescriptions may help you reduce hot flashes.
You can use a fan at work or in your home to help cool you down.
Is my bone health will get affected by menopause?
The
amount of calcium in your bones can be affected by the decline in
estrogen production. This can cause significant decreases in bone
density, leading to a condition known as osteoporosis. In this condition
you are more susceptible to hip, spine, and other bone fractures. The
first few years after their last menstrual period, you may experience
accelerated bone loss.
There are some prescription medications which can help you prevent bone loss. Also you can take care of the things listed below:
- Take vitamin D supplements.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat foods with lots of calcium, such as dairy products or dark leafy greens.
- Reduce alcohol consumption.
- Avoid smoking.
Is heart disease linked to menopause?
Conditions
related to your heart such as dizziness or cardiac palpitations may
arise during menopause. Decreased estrogen levels can prevent your body
from retaining flexible arteries which can impact blood flow.
Weight
management, eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising, and not
smoking can reduce your chances of developing heart conditions.
Will I gain weight when I experience menopause?
Decreased
estrogen levels may cause you to gain weight. Maintaining a balanced
diet, exercising regularly, and practicing other healthy habits will
help control your weight. Being overweight can increase your risk for
heart disease, diabetes, and other health related issues.
If I have had a hysterectomy or endometrial ablation, how to identify menopause?
If
you have had a hysterectomy or endometrial ablation, and your ovaries
weren’t removed, you may not know you are going through menopause unless
you experience hot flashes.
A blood test can be done to determine if
your ovaries are still functioning incase you don't experience any
symptoms. This test can be used to find out your estrogen level.
Is hormone replacement a safe option for management of menopausal problems?
Several
hormone therapies are available for treatment of hot flashes and
prevention of bone loss. The benefits and risks vary depending on the
severity of your hot flashes, bone loss and your overall health. Before
taking a HT you should consult your doctor.
What are the nonhormonal options for the management of menopausal symptoms?
Changes to your lifestyle may help you relieve many of your symptoms without need for hormonal therapies.
Lifestyle changes may include:
- weight loss
- regular exercise
- avoidance of foods that aggravate symptoms
- dressing in light cotton clothing and wearing layers
- room temperature reductions