Menopause Symptoms & Treatments

Menopause occurs in healthy women around the age of 51 years old.  Menopause can anytime after the age of 40.  Underweight and smoking women may go through menopause earlier, and overweight women may experience menopause later in life.  It's usual for women to experience menopause around the same time her mother did. 

Menopause can occur if there is ovarian failure before the age of 40 caused by smoking, radiation exposure, chemotherapy drugs or surgery that limits the blood supply to the ovaries.  Surgical menopause may follow the removal of one ovary or both or radiation of the pelvic region. 

So many jokes bounce around about the symptoms of menopause that everyone is aware of the most common ones.  The most common one is hot flashes.  Hot flashes are brief, periodic increases in the body temperature.  Hot flashes start usually during perimenopause and for most women only last about two years.  Hot flashes and their severity vary from woman to woman, and sometimes will last much longer than two years.  During a hot flash, women may experience an increased heart rate.  This causes the body to perspire as it tries to reduce its temperature.  Night sweats cause a woman to wake up drenched in sweat, sometimes enough she needs to change her nightclothes and bed sheets. 

Another common and distressing symptom is vaginal drying and thinning of tissues around the vagina and urethra.  This often leads to painful intercourse as well as vaginitis, and urinary tract infections.  A woman may experience a drop in sexual desire as well. 

Changing hormones can cause problems with hair.  You can lose hair off the scalp but have increased facial hair.  Little hairs that sprout out of your chin or cheeks are also a common complaint. 

Relaxation of the pelvic muscles often occurs, causing a risk of the uterus, bladder, urethra, or rectum getting into the vagina. 

Heart problems are also common during menopause.  Dizziness, heart palpitations, irregular heart beat also may occur as symptoms of menopause. 

It is thought that menopausal women are more at risk for mental health problems.  Studies have proved they don't suffer any extra depression, stress, anxiety, or feelings of anger than a woman who is not menopausal.  Psychologists believe the lack of estrogen, the aging process, and a woman's changing roles in life contribute to increased mental health problems. 

Let's talk about one of the more common symptoms and what can be done about them.  Hot flashes.  Jokes are made, but for anyone who has experienced them, they are no laughing matter.  How can you ease these "personal summers?"  Here are a few tips to help you get through them. 

Dress in layers.  You can take off layers of clothing when a hot flash starts.  Avoid foods that can cause hot flashes.  These include, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot drinks such as coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.  When a hot flash starts, drink a glass of cold water or fruit juice.  Reducing your stress level will reduce your hot flashes.  Wearing cotton clothing, using cotton sheets, and cotton lingerie that allows your skin to breath will also help.  Before going to bed place a thermos of cold water or an ice pack where you can reach it if you experience night sweats. 

It's important to keep a record of your symptoms so your doctor can find a pattern and find out what is triggering your hot flashes. 

You are considered post-menopause when you have not had a menstrual cycle for over one year. 

If you are having problems dealing with menopause, find a support group.  Talk to other women who are experiencing the same problems.  It may not change your symptoms but it will let you know you aren't the only woman to have problems.  Depression could be a side effect of menopause.  Old issues may surface that will cause mental health problems, empty nest, the loss of a spouse also may add to depression.  It's important if you suffer from prolonged periods of depression that you contact your doctor.  The doctor may then put you in contact with a good therapist, or medication that will help you get through this part of your life. 

Don't suffer in silence get help. Click here to more tips about Treatment to Help Ease the Worst of Menopausal Symptoms.