Menopause Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause is defined as a woman's final menstrual period, which is determined after she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Women often experience menopause in their early 40s to late 50s, but the average age is 51 or 52.

Menopause is a normal part of aging, and a Beaufort Memorial gynecologist can help ease the transition. Request an appointment.

Menopause Symptoms

Many women believe menopause includes the years leading up to their final period, during which they can experience a range of symptoms. But that time is known as the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. These early menopause symptoms generally begin during a woman’s 40s but can also occur during the 30s.

Common symptoms of perimenopause include:

• Changes to your menstrual cycle, for example, periods becoming heavier, longer and/or irregular
• Hot flashes
• Incontinence
• Loss of bone density
• Mood changes
• Night sweats
• Pain during sex
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain

Not all women experience these symptoms, and some symptoms may be a result of aging, not menopause. Talk to your health care provider about any symptoms that impact your quality of life to determine whether they are related to perimenopause, aging or another condition.

Hormone Therapy

Some symptoms, such as hot flashes and loss of bone density, occur as a result of dropping hormone levels. During perimenopause, your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone at the same levels they did when you were younger. Changes to your hormones can also increase your risk of heart disease in the years after menopause.

Hormone therapy, which steadies levels of female reproductive hormones, can help alleviate some symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and overactive bladder. Hormone therapy may also reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis (bone loss). However, hormone therapy comes with risks, including an increased risk of blood clots and stroke. Long-term use may increase your risk of breast cancer. Discuss hormone therapy with your gynecologist to find out if it is the right treatment for you.

Nonmedical Menopause Treatments

You may find that the following lifestyle changes help manage your symptoms.

For help with hot flashes:

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods.
• Dress in layers that you can easily remove when a hot flash occurs.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can cause hot flashes to be more frequent and severe.

For a good night's rest:

• Avoid watching television, using a tablet or computer, or looking at your phone before you go to bed.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on the weekends.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine for yourself, whether reading a book, taking a warm shower, meditating or listening to calming music.

To counteract bone loss:

• Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, including low-fat dairy products, leafy greens, broccoli, soy products and fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines.
• Perform weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or climbing stairs, at least three times a week.
• Discuss your risk of osteoporosis and whether you should take supplements with your provider.

If you find that lifestyle changes don't help ease your menopause symptoms, discuss other options, such as sleeping aids and antidepressants, with your provider. He or she is your best resource for determining which treatments can help your symptoms.