Around the age of 50, women enter menopause, a natural stage in life where menstrual periods stop and the body’s production of oestrogen and progesterone declines. Menopause can bring with it a range of symptoms, which can vary from woman to woman. If you’re approaching menopause or are currently in it, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and treatments available to you. This blog post will provide an overview of menopause, including its symptoms and treatment options. Stay tuned for more posts on this topic in the near future!
Stages of Menopause
Menopause occurs gradually in three stages. These include:
- Perimenopause: At this stage, oestrogen gradually declines and the menstrual cycle becomes erratic, and it might not occur for several months. This continues until the last period, and after that you enter the full menopause stage.
- Menopause: Post the first stage, if there is no other menstrual cycle after the last period, it means that you have entered the full menopause stage.
- Postmenopause: This stage occurs years after menopause, in which the symptoms worsen.
When does menopause begin and how long does it last?
The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen between ages 45 and 55. Menopause lasts an average of four years. A study revealed that about 1% of women begin menopause before the age of 40 and about 5% of women undergo menopause between the ages of 40 and 45. This is often referred to as early menopause.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Symptoms can vary from woman to woman, but may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritability, trouble sleeping, and fatigue.
Common complications of menopause can include osteoporosis (thin bones), heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. There is no one definitive test for menopause. A doctor will typically ask about menopause symptoms and menopausal history to help determine if menopause is the cause of the problems.
Treatments for menopause
The main menopause treatments are hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and low-dose hormonal contraception. Other menopause treatments include weight loss, exercise, stress management, osteoporosis prevention, and non-hormonal medications like calcium supplements. Some doctors make referrals for counselling or therapy to manage menopause symptoms.
Some home remedies for menopause include warm baths, changing diet habits, and incorporating more whole grain foods into your everyday meal plan. These can reduce menopausal night sweats. Avoiding caffeine consumption may also decrease hot flashes during menopause, whilst consuming soy products which have phytoestrogens help to balance oestrogen levels in the body, wearing layered clothing, and avoiding hot environments help reduce the symptoms.
Cutting down on smoking and alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise, practising stress-relieving techniques such as yoga or meditation, and getting plenty of sleep can ease menopause symptoms.
It is important for women going through menopause to have a yearly check-up with their gynaecologist to screen for any health complications that may arise during this time. There are many excellent gynaecologists who can provide care and support during menopause. If you don’t have one, you should ask your doctor for a referral.
The symptoms of menopause can be managed, but it’s important to seek a doctor’s help. There are many factors that contribute to the severity and length of your symptoms. For women with hormone imbalances or deficiencies in progesterone and oestrogen, it is quite common for them to experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. However, there are also other less-common signs, such as depression and weight gain. If you suspect you may have one of these conditions, contact us today so we can recommend treatments tailored just for you! Seek a second opinion from the best gynaecologist. Don’t know how to connect to the award-winning doctor? Just search for the “best gynaecologists in Delhi” and get an online consultation in the comfort of your home.