Menopause is often identified by the end of monthly menstruation, due to loss of ovarian follicular function, and usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
As many women know, however, menopause is an ongoing process that can be unpredictable and involves so much more than the end of one’s period.
If someone isn’t aware of why they’re seeing or feeling changes in their body, they may be worried for or feal uneasy about what lies ahead.
While menopause may be daunting, knowing the symptoms helps assuage any fears when it comes to talking about it to a health care provider.
Changes in hormones during menopause affect women physically, mentally and socially. These changes can vary drastically from person to person.
Women may experience a wide range of symptoms which might include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia or sleep disruption, mood changes, vaginal dryness and frequent urinary tract infections and incontinence.
The first and probably well-known indication that menopause may be approaching is experiencing irregular periods. The time between periods may be longer or shorter, flows may vary and some might skip periods.
Hot flashes are described as a sudden feeling in the face, neck or chest during menopause. This is a common symptom, affecting about 85% of menopausal women. Around 55% of women experience severe hot flashes as they transition toward menopause.
Night sweats are essentially hot flashes during sleep. Experiencing night sweats might cause waking up covered in perspiration, with damp clothes or bedsheets.
Insomnia or sleep disruption, which includes trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, is a common symptom of menopause. Lying awake for hours or having restless nights may lead to fatigue or moodiness during the day.
Many women going through the transitional period before menopause can experience mood swings. Increased emotional sensitivity, short tempers and other changes might feel like premenstrual syndrome, or PMS.
Vaginal dryness and frequent urinary tract infections happen as estrogen levels decrease. Less estrogen leads to the vaginal lining becoming thinner and weaker. This symptom can cause intercourse to feel unsatisfying or painful.
Low estrogen levels thin the vaginal lining and the bladder lining which can lead to incontinence — urinary frequency and urgency.
There isn’t a quick and easy way to combat the symptoms of menopause, so it’s important to speak to a primary care provider to explore options. Those include non-hormonal treatments and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
HRT relieves the symptoms of menopause by supplementing female hormones. Systemic estrogen comes as a pill, skin patch, ring, gel, cream or spray, while low-dose vaginal estrogen comes as a cream, tablet or ring. While HRT can be helpful, it may also pose risks for some patients. Discussing one’s medical history with a provider is an important step before starting any HRT.
Non-hormonal treatments include a variety of options, including antidepressants and natural and lifestyle changes.
Also keep in mind that if the loss of estrogen or ovarian function occurs before the age of 40, it’s considered premature menopause. If it occurs before 45, it’s considered early menopause.
Premature and early menopause can happen because of certain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation or health conditions — or it can happen on its own without a clear reason. If someone thinks they might be reaching menopause early, they need to talk to their health care provider.
Menopause is not something which happens during a certain window of time. It is an ongoing process. Certain symptoms might be temporary, but menopause impacts every part of the body, from the brain and heart to the bones, blood vessels and muscles.
Along with physical changes, possible mood swings and a lower libido can cause emotional and social changes. While menopause is a natural part of life, it is something that has the potential to touch every aspect of a woman’s life.
Menopausal care plays a significant role in healthy aging. That is a unique opportunity to reassess one’s health and lifestyle and plan for longevity that prioritizes strength, bone health, and mental clarity.
David Rogers, M.D., is an obstetrician and gynecologist with Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor and vice chairman in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech HSC doctor on ‘decoding the change’ with menopause
Reporting by By Dr. David Rodgers, special for the Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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