Menopause – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments

Even so, physical symptoms like hot flashes and emotional symptoms of Menopause can interrupt your sleep, decrease your energy, or – for some women – trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss. Don’t hesitate to seek treatment for symptoms that bother you. Many effective treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy .

Causes of Menopause:  All the eggs that a woman will produce throughout her life have their origin in germ cells (or follicles) of the ovaries already present at birth. This reserve is used from the first period (menarche) to the last period (menopause). No woman is able to form new follicles to replace the ones that are gone.

When the last of them die, the ovaries fail and the concentrations of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, fall irreversibly. Among other possible causes of Menopause are gynecological surgeries that include the removal of the ovaries.

Symptoms of Menopause:  Other common symptoms of this period are:

• Menstrual changes (before complete termination)
• Vaginal itching and dryness , which can lead to pain with intercourse
• reduced libido
• Decreased breast size and loss of firmness
• night sweats
• sleeping problems
• Mood swings, with periods of anxiety, irritability and depression, in addition to a decrease in self-esteem
• Weight gain and metabolism slowdown
• Dry skin and thinner hair
• Decreased skin elasticity
• Headaches
• Increased porosity of bones.

Not every woman has all of these symptoms. Its appearance varies from case to case and according to the climacteric phase.

Menopause Treatments:  Menopause does not require any medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on alleviating your signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that can occur with aging. Treatments can include:

• Hormone Therapy: Estrogen therapy remains by far the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes . Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen at the lowest dose needed to provide symptom relief for you. If you still have your uterus, you will need progestin in addition to estrogen. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. And hormone therapy can benefit your heart if started within five years of your last menstrual period.
• Vaginal estrogen: To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be given directly to the vagina using a cream, pill, or vaginal ring. This treatment releases only a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissues. It can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse, and some urinary symptoms.
• Low-dose antidepressants: Certain antidepressants related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can decrease menopausal heat channels . A low-dose antidepressant for managing hot flashes may be helpful for women who cannot take estrogen for health reasons or for women who need an antidepressant for a mood disorder.
• Gabapentin (Neurontin): Gabapentin is approved to treat seizures, but it has also been shown to help reduce hot flashes. This drug is useful in women who cannot use estrogen therapy and in those who also have migraines.
• Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis:  Depending on individual needs, doctors may recommend medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis. There are several medications available that help reduce bone loss and the risk of fractures.

Before deciding on any form of treatment, speak with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options annually, as your needs and treatment options may change.

Medications for Menopause:  The most commonly used medications for the treatment of Menopause are:

• Acetoflux
• Depo-Provera
• Estriol

NOTE: Only a doctor can tell you which drug is most suitable for you, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and never self-medicate. Do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor first, and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions on the package insert.

Preventing Menopause:  Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle and cannot be avoided. However, many of the symptoms of Menopause can be managed effectively by making preventative healthy lifestyle choices. In addition, many of the complications of menopause can be avoided with a healthy lifestyle and vigilance over your health. Here’s how to prevent Menopause :

• Have a healthy diet
• Sleep well
• It looks like smoking
• Practice exercises regularly