Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is a normal process of the body that marks the end of fertility in women. It comes after the gradual decrease of hormonal production, particularly of estrogen. Menopause is confirmed 12 months after the cessation of menstruation. For some women, this period of life is a difficult one; for others, it goes unnoticed.

Natural menopause appears between the ages of 40 and 60. An interruption in the secretion of estrogen by the ovaries is a sign of menopause and its related symptoms. Certain lifestyle differences explain why there is such a wide age range for the onset of menopause. For example, women who have had children and taken oral contraceptives tend to experience menopause later in life, while, for those who smoke, menopause comes earlier. Often a woman will have her menopause at the same age that her mother did.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Vasomotor	Urinary and genital
* Hot flashes * Palpitations * Night sweats * Headaches * Dizziness * Insomnia * Sleep disorders	* Vaginal dryness * Painful sexual relations * Urinary infections * Vaginal infections * Mild incontinence
Psychological	Skin
* Anxiety * Sadness * Irritability * Mood swings * Decrease in sexual desire and feelings * Memory and concentration loss * Depression	* Dry skinHair loss * Growth of facial hair * Tingling
Muscle and joint	General
* Lumbar pain * Joint pain * Muscle pain	* Tiredness * Weight gain * Irregular menstrual cycles

Besides menstrual irregularity, 10% to 15% of women feel none of the menopause-related symptoms. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the main factor in maintaining good quality of life during menopause.

 

Hot Flashes

 

Hot flashes are certainly the most frequent symptom. Often accompanied by palpitations, headaches and dizziness, they are unpleasant and can disturb night rest. They can occur before menopause and continue 5 more years after menopause, finally disappearing as quickly as they came. Hot flashes sometimes occur even before there are changes in the menstrual cycle. Treating hot flashes and related symptoms that bring discomfort can improve sleep and mild mood disorders.

Tips to reduce hot flashes:

• Reduce heating to a comfortable temperature;
• Sleep in a cool room;
• Dress in layers so that you can remove some during hot flashes;
• Use cotton or natural fibre clothes and bed sheets; these allow the body to breathe better;
• Drink cold water or any other cold beverage when hot flashes occur;
• Use a fan;
• Breathe in slowly and deeply;
• Try breathing techniques;
• Exercise;
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods;
• Avoid and/or stop smoking.

 

Genital and Urinary Problems

 

Genital and urinary problems occur quite often. Vaginal dryness, painful sexual relations, frequent and/or recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, as well as mild urinary incontinence are the main symptoms.

Tips to eliminate genital and urinary symptoms: 

• Avoid antihistamines, alcohol, caffeine and diuretics.
• Avoid highly air-conditioned areas where the level of humidity is low.
• Drink sufficient fluids between meals so as not to disrupt digestion, i.e., 30 minutes before meals, or 2 hours afterwards.
• Wear natural fibre underwear.
• Avoid tight or synthetic fibre clothes.

 

Hormones: Their Benefits

 

Among the various possibilities, taking hormones is the most effective way to relieve hot flashes. Hormones also help to relieve vaginal dryness problems. Preventing osteoporosis is the main reason for long-term hormone treatment. The effect of hormones on bones is even more beneficial if they are taken at the onset of menopause, since bone mass tends to diminish during this time.In women who take hormones, colon and rectal cancer cases are reduced significantly. There is no explanation for this yet, but recent data has confirmed it.

 

Hormones: Their Risks

 

The fear of breast cancer is probably one of the main reasons leading women to decide not to take hormones. Some studies show an increase in cases of breast cancer after hormonal treatment. This is why hormones are not prescribed for all women who experience unpleasant menopause symptoms.

 

Therefore women who wish to take hormones for their bone health and to relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness must weigh the pros and cons of their decision and evaluate their own risk factors for breast cancer.

 

The risk of cardiovascular disease could also increase in women undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, this data applies to women who have not had a hysterectomy and who use progesterone and estrogen simultaneously. For women who have had a hysterectomy and are using estrogen only, noxious effects may be less significant.

 

The decision to take or not to take hormones and the duration of the treatment are factors to be considered for each woman, depending on the condition of her health, her symptoms and risk factors.

 

Over-the-Counter Lubricants

 

Some lubricants sold over the counter in pharmacies are effective in the treatment of vaginal dryness. There are two types of lubricants: a short-term effect product and a long-term one. Short-term effect lubricants must be used each day; long-tern effect products can be used two or three times a week.

 

Natural Products

 

Some natural products can contribute to reducing menopause-related symptoms. However, it is very important to discuss such products with your pharmacist before using them in order to avoid any possible interaction with drugs you are already taking and with your existing condition.

 

Conclusion

 

Health professionals are available to answer your questions and to advise women on how they approach menopause. Remember that menopause is a normal process and that positive changes of lifestyle will impact your quality of life and your health. Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your pharmacist. She or he takes your health and well-being to heart.

 

Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is a normal process of the body that marks the end of fertility in women. It comes after the gradual decrease of hormonal production, particularly of estrogen. Menopause is confirmed 12 months after the cessation of menstruation. For some women, this period of life is a difficult one; for others, it goes unnoticed.

Natural menopause appears between the ages of 40 and 60. An interruption in the secretion of estrogen by the ovaries is a sign of menopause and its related symptoms. Certain lifestyle differences explain why there is such a wide age range for the onset of menopause. For example, women who have had children and taken oral contraceptives tend to experience menopause later in life, while, for those who smoke, menopause comes earlier. Often a woman will have her menopause at the same age that her mother did.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Vasomotor	Urinary and genital
* Hot flashes * Palpitations * Night sweats * Headaches * Dizziness * Insomnia * Sleep disorders	* Vaginal dryness * Painful sexual relations * Urinary infections * Vaginal infections * Mild incontinence
Psychological	Skin
* Anxiety * Sadness * Irritability * Mood swings * Decrease in sexual desire and feelings * Memory and concentration loss * Depression	* Dry skinHair loss * Growth of facial hair * Tingling
Muscle and joint	General
* Lumbar pain * Joint pain * Muscle pain	* Tiredness * Weight gain * Irregular menstrual cycles

Besides menstrual irregularity, 10% to 15% of women feel none of the menopause-related symptoms. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the main factor in maintaining good quality of life during menopause.

 

Hot Flashes

 

Hot flashes are certainly the most frequent symptom. Often accompanied by palpitations, headaches and dizziness, they are unpleasant and can disturb night rest. They can occur before menopause and continue 5 more years after menopause, finally disappearing as quickly as they came. Hot flashes sometimes occur even before there are changes in the menstrual cycle. Treating hot flashes and related symptoms that bring discomfort can improve sleep and mild mood disorders.

Tips to reduce hot flashes:

• Reduce heating to a comfortable temperature;
• Sleep in a cool room;
• Dress in layers so that you can remove some during hot flashes;
• Use cotton or natural fibre clothes and bed sheets; these allow the body to breathe better;
• Drink cold water or any other cold beverage when hot flashes occur;
• Use a fan;
• Breathe in slowly and deeply;
• Try breathing techniques;
• Exercise;
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods;
• Avoid and/or stop smoking.

 

Genital and Urinary Problems

 

Genital and urinary problems occur quite often. Vaginal dryness, painful sexual relations, frequent and/or recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, as well as mild urinary incontinence are the main symptoms.

Tips to eliminate genital and urinary symptoms: 

• Avoid antihistamines, alcohol, caffeine and diuretics.
• Avoid highly air-conditioned areas where the level of humidity is low.
• Drink sufficient fluids between meals so as not to disrupt digestion, i.e., 30 minutes before meals, or 2 hours afterwards.
• Wear natural fibre underwear.
• Avoid tight or synthetic fibre clothes.

 

Hormones: Their Benefits

 

Among the various possibilities, taking hormones is the most effective way to relieve hot flashes. Hormones also help to relieve vaginal dryness problems. Preventing osteoporosis is the main reason for long-term hormone treatment. The effect of hormones on bones is even more beneficial if they are taken at the onset of menopause, since bone mass tends to diminish during this time.In women who take hormones, colon and rectal cancer cases are reduced significantly. There is no explanation for this yet, but recent data has confirmed it.

 

Hormones: Their Risks

 

The fear of breast cancer is probably one of the main reasons leading women to decide not to take hormones. Some studies show an increase in cases of breast cancer after hormonal treatment. This is why hormones are not prescribed for all women who experience unpleasant menopause symptoms.

 

Therefore women who wish to take hormones for their bone health and to relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness must weigh the pros and cons of their decision and evaluate their own risk factors for breast cancer.

 

The risk of cardiovascular disease could also increase in women undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, this data applies to women who have not had a hysterectomy and who use progesterone and estrogen simultaneously. For women who have had a hysterectomy and are using estrogen only, noxious effects may be less significant.

 

The decision to take or not to take hormones and the duration of the treatment are factors to be considered for each woman, depending on the condition of her health, her symptoms and risk factors.

 

Over-the-Counter Lubricants

 

Some lubricants sold over the counter in pharmacies are effective in the treatment of vaginal dryness. There are two types of lubricants: a short-term effect product and a long-term one. Short-term effect lubricants must be used each day; long-tern effect products can be used two or three times a week.

 

Natural Products

 

Some natural products can contribute to reducing menopause-related symptoms. However, it is very important to discuss such products with your pharmacist before using them in order to avoid any possible interaction with drugs you are already taking and with your existing condition.

 

Conclusion

 

Health professionals are available to answer your questions and to advise women on how they approach menopause. Remember that menopause is a normal process and that positive changes of lifestyle will impact your quality of life and your health. Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your pharmacist. She or he takes your health and well-being to heart.