The definition of menopause is when a woman has her final menstrual period, and a woman is considered through menopause when a year has passed without a period. Symptoms of menopause may start years earlier, signaling perimenopause, and they can continue throughout menopause. A woman's body produces fewer hormones during menopause, resulting in uncomfortable and life-altering symptoms. Women in menopause also have to watch out for osteoporosis and heart disease. Menopausal symptoms can be problematic. Fortunately, any woman going through menopause can take an active role in finding a remedy for her condition.
Look for the Signs
Before working on a remedy for menopausal symptoms, make sure you are going through this change of life. Look for the most common symptom, which is a change in your menstrual period. Some women's period lasts longer than usual or ends sooner. There also may be a change in the amount of blood discharged. Notice if you suddenly get intense heat surging through your body (hot flashes) or have bouts of severe sweating at night. Your vaginal area may be drier, and intercourse may be painful. Take note if you experience fluctuations in your mood, such as irritability or sobbing. Watch for absentmindedness and confusion. Notice if you have less hair on your head and more on your face. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to confirm whether or not they are related to menopause.
Know Your Treatment Options
Be aware of what you can do to remedy the problems associated with menopause. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been used by some women to help ease hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and changes in mood. Bone loss may be slowed down with the help of MHT. Your doctor can prescribe MHT, but be aware that its risks include clotting of the blood, stroke, heart attack, breast cancer and gallbladder disease. Another conventional option is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). This type of remedy is a drug made specifically to a doctor's request, and it is composed of synthetic hormones that are identical to those the human body produces. BHRT may help alleviate menopausal symptoms, but according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some women who take hormones are still at risk for blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and gallbladder disease. BHRT has not been proven to be any safer than MHT.
Although many women use black cohosh, dong quai, ginseng, kava and red clover during menopause, these remedies are not effective in reducing hot flashes, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, and black cohosh may affect the liver. Taking kava, says the FDA, causes damage to the liver. Red clover contains phytoestrogens, as does soy. Phytoestrogens may work to relieve menopausal symptoms, but they need to be taken with caution by women who have a history of endometriosis, uterine fibroids or cancer of the breast, uterus or ovaries. Any woman at risk for these diseases also should use phytoestrogens with caution. Other women who need to be careful when taking phytoestrogens are those on birth control pills, MHT, selective estrogen receptor modulators or tamoxifen. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may, or may not, help relieve hot flashes and a decline in sexual arousal.
Another remedy involves tailoring your lifestyle to address your menopausal concerns. Include foods in your diet that contribute to bone health to fight against osteoporosis, and exercise three times a weeks. Some foods that strengthen bones are broccoli, fish, eggs, yogurt, kefir, miso, beans, tofu and molasses. To protect against heart disease, stop smoking if you smoke and eat foods such as raw green vegetables and sea greens, fish, green tea, wine, brown rice, garlic, onions and whole grains. Maintain weight that's considered healthy for you. Apply a water-based lubricant or cream to the vaginal area to combat dryness. Go to your gynecologist for breast and pelvic exams routinely.
Make a Decision
After learning about all your remedy options, speak with your gynecologist about which will work best for you. Inform your doctor about any illnesses you had in the past, and tell your doctor about any serious illnesses members of your family had. Decide which remedy to use, with the help of your doctor, and follow through with it.
Tags: your doctor, menopausal symptoms, black cohosh, body produces, breast cancer
