Symptoms and treatment of menopause

Menopause is the term used when a woman has not had a period for one year. The pre-menopause is the time preceding the cessation of menstruation, peri-menopause when menstruation is unpredictable and the post-menopausal at the time of menopause is installed.

During menopause, the ovaries begin to slow their production of estrogen and progesterone. The decline of these hormones exposes women to a greater risk of developing osteoporosis (thinning bones) and heart disease. Menopause may also, in some women but not all, accompanied by symptoms very troublesome, including hot flashes, vaginal symptoms, decreased libido, and sleep disorders. The fact that a woman can understand what menopause and the risks associated with it can help to make the best choices of treatment for her.

Hormone

Hormone therapy is to replace the estrogen and progesterone levels lost during the installation process of menopause. For over 50 years that women use this treatment to relieve the unwanted symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and urinary problems. Sometimes we also administer supplemental estrogen to prevent osteoporosis.

Estrogen and progesterone are marketed in different forms such as oral tablets, skin patches, a gel applied to the skin, vaginal preparations or injections. Only a very small dose of estrogen is necessary to prevent hot flashes and osteoporosis. High doses can cause problems such as an increase in migraines.

Among the side effects associated with hormone therapy may be mentioned:

•     abdominal bloating
•     discomfort in the breast,
•     headaches,
•     of mood disorders,
•     nausea,
•     vaginal bleeding.

Women who receive estrogen without progesterone have an increased risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). That's why it requires a preparation of progesterone with estrogen to minimize this risk in women who have not had a hysterectomy. For many years, concern has been the increased risk of breast cancer associated with taking estrogen, but no clear association between hormone therapy and breast cancer was found. Note also that during the first year of treatment, the incidence of gallbladder disease may increase.

In general, hormone therapy is not prescribed for women who have or have had:

•     a blood clotting disorder,
•     acute liver failure,
•     advanced cancer of the endometrium,
•     breast cancer,
•     genital bleeding of unknown cause.

Non-hormonal treatment

Women who can not take estrogen may wish to discuss with their doctor and try other treatment options, such as antidepressants, progesterone alone, gabapentin or clonidine, to decrease the discomfort associated with hot flashes. For women with vaginal dryness is the most troublesome symptom, there are creams, tablets and rings based estrogen. Women with decreased libido can talk to their doctor about treatment options available to them.

A healthy lifestyle can significantly improve the well-being of women. Having a regular exercise, a balanced diet (with the appropriate amount of vitamin D and calcium), not smoking and managing stress can promote good health and minimize symptoms associated with menopause.

Prognosis

Menopause is a natural phenomenon in the life of a woman. Although it is a tough time for some women, the vast majority of women do not have long-term problems. Moreover, many women report a better quality of life - they have more energy and more confidence.