Menopause
Complete cessation of menses is called as Menopause!
When the levels of estrogen hormone drops , menopause happens.
Average age of menopause is 51 years.
What is Perimenopause?
When the hormones starts fluctuating a few years before menopause,there are certain symptoms that happens...that is called as "Perimenopausal transition" period.
Symptoms of perimenopause transition period:
1. Short menstrual cycles or infrequent menses.
2.Decreased or increased blood flow.
Check with your Gynecologist to know whether these symptoms are normal perimenopause symptoms or is a consequence of serious health concern.
Health concerns in Perimenopause:
1. Hot flashes
Excessive sweating and heat spikes can happen.
It can happen just once a month or it can happen several times in a day itself!!
Can cause sleep 😴💤 disturbances as well!!
2. Insomnia or sleep disturbances in Perimenopause.
3.Vaginal skin becomes dry because of lack of estrogen hormone nad can become less elastic !!
So it is common to have vaginal infections in Perimenopause!!
4. Urinary tract also becomes dry because of lack of estrogen.. so can cause burning urination, increased frequency of urination and also chances of urinary tract infection increases!!
Bone changes in menopause:
1.Osteoporosis or thinning of bone starts happening for both male and female after the age of 35 years!
Within 4-8 years of menopause, there is a sharp decline in bone mass!
This can lead to pathological fractures.. especially in hip, elbow and back bones.
Menopause increases the risk of following diseases:
1. Heart disease:
Estrogen protects heart health. Thus after menopause , those with risk factors ( high blood pressure , high sugars and cholesterol , obesity,lack of Physical activity etc .)can have increased risk of Heart attacks!
2. Stroke- Those with risk factors are highly susceptible to get stroke after menopause!
Treatment for Menopausal symptoms:
Hormone replacement therapy:( HRT)
Two types of HRT are available:
✅Combined HRT( estrogen + progesterone hormone treatment)
✅ Estrogen only treatment
Combined HRT given to women who have an intact uterus.. because just giving estrogen can cause the tissue inside the uterus to grow and increases the risk of cancer. So to counteract, progesterone is given along with estrogen.
2. If the uterus is already surgically removed for some other reason, just giving estrogen is enough.
HRT can be given as
✅Oral pills
✅ Patches
✅ Hormone sprays
✅ Hormone gels
✅ Hormone releasing Vaginal ring
Problems treated by HRT
1. Hot flashes
2. Night 💦 sweats
HRT reduces the risk of
1. Fractures
2.Colon cancer
Risk associated with HRT:
All women are not eligible for HRT
HRT should be given for shortest possible duration in smallest effective dose definitely under the guidance of a Gynecologist!!
1. There is a slight increased risk of endometrial cancer
2. Combined pills increases risk of blood clot formation ( Deep vein thrombosis).. so local treatment is given in the form of patches,gels or spray in certain women.
3. Slightly increased risk of breast cancer when given for long periods!!
4. Increased risk of gall bladder disease
So what else can be given other than HRT to reduce menopausal symptoms??
1. Sometimes anti depressants to reduce hot flashes
2. Difficulty in sexual intercourse can be tackled with testosterone gels!
Black cohosh , soy products,. Chinese herbal remedies are also tried to treat menopausal symptoms. But we don't know about the safety concerns of these 🌿 herbal products!!
How can we protect against the symptoms of menopause in a natural way??
Going with nature gives natural cure from menopause!!
👩🦰Eat a well balanced diet
👩🦰Take calcium supplements atleast 1000- 1500 mg / day
👩🦰Take vitamin D 400IU / day for bone health
👩🦰 Exercise regularly!!
Cardio exercises like
Walking💪🏃🏻♀️
Jogging
Strength training💪
and Yoga helps in increasing muscle mass and to reduce bone loss!!
👩🦰Annual check up is very important
Annual mammogram
Regular gynec examination and Pelvic scan can help in diagnosing health problems earlier and to get relief from it early!
Prevention is better than cure!
So BE PROACTIVE!
Win over Menopause!!
15 окт 2021
