That stage of life known as menopause

Menopause is just another stage of life, but every woman’s experience is unique. A great deal has been written on this topic: books, articles, and even comedies. It has been described as the end of one stage and the beginning of another. Menopause has been blamed for many inexplicable behaviors that occur during this particular period in a woman’s life. I remember when my mom went through that stage. How could I forget it! I didn’t understand why she was upset and tired most of the time.

I frequently evaluate women with various symptoms and conditions directly or indirectly related to menopause. Many have already seen other doctors and are currently being treated for various conditions. Most come in with multiple complaints, while others search the internet for a diagnosis and a remedy.

So, what is menopause? It’s when a woman hasn’t had a menstrual period for a year. This stage is preceded by perimenopause, which is when periods become irregular until they stop altogether. These irregularities are accompanied by various symptoms, and the most common age range for experiencing them is between 45 and 55.

The true meaning of menopause and its effects are felt by the woman going through this period. Many women complain that they are no longer the same, experiencing a variety of symptoms that do not seem to be related. Partners notice the most intimate changes. Family, friends, and colleagues may sense that something is different about this person. Sometimes, the symptoms of menopause are mistaken for other medical conditions. In the past, our mothers and grandmothers went through this period in silence and without complaining. Today, thanks to advances in medicine, more is known and discussed about menopause and its consequences. The importance of early diagnosis and offering treatment options to improve health is now recognized.

Symptoms of menopause

During the transition to menopause, the ovaries begin to function less and less effectively, thereby reducing the production of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormonal changes cause the symptoms of menopause:

Hot flashes involve a sensation of heat throughout the body that leads to sweating; they can occur both during the day and at night, disrupting sleep patterns and quality. These symptoms can cause fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms similar to those of anxiety or depression. Some women feel that their quality of life and sense of well-being are affected during this period. Hispanic and African American women experience hot flashes for longer than white and Asian women. Some of these symptoms improve and, in most cases, disappear within five years.

Menopausal symptoms may be more severe and last longer in patients who have had their ovaries removed—in other words, surgical menopause. Today, the goal is to preserve the ovaries because we understand the consequences of declining hormone levels.

How should it be treated?

Hormone treatments:

Hormone therapy is an effective treatment and is recommended for relieving hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy has its benefits, but it also carries risks, including blood clots, heart problems, stroke, and breast cancer, among others. In patients with a uterus, it is essential to use progesterone to prevent uterine cancer.

Estrogen, which is a hormone, is a chemical produced in the body primarily by the ovaries. There are many types of estrogen: conjugated, animal-derived, plant-derived, and synthetic. These come in various forms, such as tablets, rings, patches, creams, and pellets. Bioidentical hormones are compounds with a chemical and molecular structure similar to the hormones produced in the human body.

Nonhormonal treatments:

There are non-hormonal treatments that have been studied and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alleviate hot flashes. Low-dose antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as paroxetine, are used for this purpose. Gabapentin is a medication originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy that can also be used to reduce hot flashes.

 Remember that menopause is just another stage in a woman’s life. Talk to your gynecologist about the actual risks involved and your options for treatment or not. Keep in mind that the final decision is always yours.

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