A Woman’s Guide to Life After Menopause
Menopause, which occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops after a 12-month period, can happen when a person reaches 40 or 50 years of age. On average, women in the United States experience menopause at 52 years of age. However, it’s possible for women to have premature menopause, or menopause that occurs before the age of 40, if they have had their uterus and/or ovaries surgically removed, have autoimmune disorders, or a history of smoking, among others.
What are menopause symptoms?
Though menopause is a natural part of biological aging, many women are not aware of how it is diagnosed or of its symptoms. According to Bonafide’s “State of Menopause Study,” 29% of women “never sought information about menopause before they experienced it.” 34% of women who took part in this study are experiencing menopause symptoms but are currently undiagnosed, while 20% of women have experienced menopause symptoms for more than a year before being formally diagnosed.
During perimenopause, or the period preceding menopause, women will typically experience some, many, or all of following menopause signs and symptoms:
Irregular periods
Your flow might become lighter or light some days, and heavy on others. You might also skip periods.
Vaginal dryness
This may be due to lower estrogen levels, which is a hormone responsible for the vagina’s lubrication, elasticity, and thickness.
Hot flashes
This includes a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads through your chest, neck, and face, a rapid heartbeat, perspiration, and feelings of anxiety. This can last for one to five minutes.
Mood changes
Because of hormonal changes, you might experience feelings of anger and sadness. You might also have trouble concentrating, feel anxious, or fatigued.
Weight gain
Hormonal changes can also affect your metabolism and cause you to gain weight especially in your abdomen, hips, and thighs.
Thinning hair and dry skin
When estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, you might experience thinning hair and dry, thin skin.
Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any or all of the previously mentioned signs and symptoms.
Can menopause symptoms be treated?
Although menopause has no medical treatment, there are available treatments that can help alleviate certain menopause symptoms.
Take note that different women require different forms of treatment. You should work with your doctor to know what kind of treatment would work best for you, and make sure that you review your treatment options regularly if not yearly.
The following are common treatments for menopause symptoms:
- Low-dose hormonal birth control. During perimenopause, you might sometimes experience irregular periods and even heavier flow. Birth control pills can help regulate periods and lessen menstrual flow. However, it should be noted that hormonal birth control should not be taken by women who smoke, as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women aged 35 and above.
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. To relieve itchiness, dryness, pain (especially during intercourse), and reduce the risk of vaginal infection, you can apply vaginal moisturizers every few days and vaginal lubricants during sexual activity.
- Hormone therapy (HT). This is used to increase hormone levels (estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin, also referred to as EPT) to help relieve some menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and itchy skin. It can also decrease the chances of developing osteoporosis, colon cancer, diabetes, and joint pain. It can improve mood and mental well-being, too. However, HT also comes with certain risks, including an increased chance of developing endometrial cancer, gallstones, breast cancer, and blood clots. Women who have had a history of cancer or have abnormal bleeding, among others, should not have HT.
- Non-HT medications such as Gabapentin and Clonidine. These medications can help relieve hot flashes and night sweats in women who can’t or choose not to go for HT.
Are there lifestyle changes that women can do to alleviate menopause symptoms?
The following are some important lifestyle changes that women can do to relieve menopause symptoms that do not require medication:
- Go for healthier food options. Limit your consumption of processed foods and go for a diet rich in healthy fats, protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and fiber.
- Avoid alcohol, too much caffeine, and spicy foods. These can make hot flashes and night sweats feel worse.
- Incorporate strength-training, aerobics, stability, balance, and flexibility exercises in your daily living. Regularly exercising can help you relieve stress and maintain a healthy weight. Research shows that obese women experience hot flashes more frequently than thinner women, thus, maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Dress in light, layered clothing. In doing so, when you experience a hot flash, you can easily remove articles of clothing and put them back on at a later time.
Caring is our Culture
At PSS Home Care, we provide top-notch respite care and home care to older adults, as well as people living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairments. Our home health aides help our clients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, among many others. They also prepare healthy meals and oversee the administration of prescribed medication. These and more are what make PSS Home Care’s brand of compassionate care exceptional.
For more information about our home care services, contact us at 718-752-9833. We’d be glad to discuss possible care options that best suit your loved ones’ needs today.
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