MenopausalTreatment.com

Menopause meaning

Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.

Menopause is a natural biological process. But the physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt your sleep, lower your energy or affect emotional health. There are many effective treatments available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy.

Symptoms

In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms:

• Irregular periods.

• Vaginal dryness.

• Hot flashes.

• Chills.

• Night sweats.

• Sleep problems.

• Mood changes.

• Weight gain and slowed metabolism.

• Thinning hair and dry skin.

• Loss of breast fullness.

Signs and symptoms, including changes in menstruation can vary among women. Most likely, you'll experience some irregularity in your periods before they end.

Skipping periods during perimenopause is common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will skip a month and return, or skip several months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Periods also tend to happen on shorter cycles, so they are closer together. Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If you've skipped a period but aren't sure you've started the menopausal transition, consider a pregnancy test.

Signs of menopause at 40

What is premature menopause?

• Premature menopause is when you reach menopause before the age of 40 years.

What is early menopause?

• Early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45 years.
  

• Up to 12% of women have their final period before they are 45 years of age. This percentage is likely to be higher if we include menopause caused by surgery and cancer treatment.
  

How long does menopause last

• The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55.
  

• It usually lasts about seven years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity.
  

Treatment

Menopause requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur with aging. Treatments may include:

• Hormone therapy.
  

Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes. Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose and the shortest time frame needed to provide symptom relief for you. If you still have your uterus, you'll need progestin in addition to estrogen. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. Long-term use of hormone therapy may have some cardiovascular and breast cancer risks, but starting hormones around the time of menopause has shown benefits for some women. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy and whether it's a safe choice for you.


• Vaginal estrogen.
  

To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered directly to the vagina using a vaginal cream, tablet or ring. This treatment releases just 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) may decrease menopausal hot flashes. A low-dose antidepressant for management of hot flashes may be useful for women who can't take estrogen for health reasons or for women who need an antidepressant for a mood disorder.





• Gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, 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 can't use estrogen therapy and in those who also have nighttime hot flashes.





• Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay).
  

Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, might provide some relief from hot flashes.





• Fezolinetant (Veozah).
  

This medicine is a hormone-free option for treating menopause hot flashes. It works by blocking a pathway in the brain that helps regulate body temperature.





• Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis.
  

Depending on individual needs, doctors may recommend medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Several medications are available that help reduce bone loss and risk of fractures. Your doctor might prescribe vitamin D supplements to help strengthen bones.

10 Natural Remedies for Menopause Relief

1. Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D

• Menopause can weaken bones, heightening osteoporosis risk. To maintain bone strength, ensure sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake. Calcium is found in dairy, leafy greens, tofu, beans, sardines, and fortified foods. For vitamin D, sunlight is key, but aging reduces skin efficiency in vitamin production. If sunlight exposure is limited, consider vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish and eggs, or supplements.

2. Maintain a moderate weight

• Weight gain during menopause is often due to hormonal shifts, aging, lifestyle, and genetics. Extra fat, particularly around the waist, can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can also influence menopause symptoms. A study on 17,473 women showed that a loss of 10 pounds or 10% body weight could reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

3. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables

• Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may ease menopause symptoms and assist with weight control due to their low-calorie content. They're crucial for disease prevention, including heart disease, whose risk rises post-menopause possibly due to aging, weight gain, or lower estrogen levels. Additionally, they're beneficial for bone health, with a study of 3,236 women suggesting a diet rich in these foods can mitigate bone breakdown.

4. Avoid trigger foods

• Some foods may set off hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, especially if consumed at night. Frequent culprits are caffeine, alcohol, and foods high in sugar or spice. Tracking symptoms in a diary can help. If specific foods seem to trigger symptoms, cutting back or eliminating them may help.

5. Exercise regularly

• Evidence on whether exercise can alleviate hot flashes and night sweats is inconclusive. Nonetheless, exercise, including Pilates, is proven to boost energy, metabolism, joint and bone health, reduce stress, and enhance sleep. A Korean study noted improvements in physical and mental health, and life quality, in menopausal women following a 12-week walking program. Exercise also guards against various conditions like cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, and may decrease heart disease risk, which climbs during menopause.

6. Eat more foods that are high in phytoestrogens

• Phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen, may help in balancing hormones. Their high consumption in countries like Japan correlates with fewer hot flashes among menopausal individuals. Phytoestrogen-rich foods include soybeans, tofu, tempeh, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and beans, though their levels vary with food processing methods. Studies suggest that a soy-rich diet may lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and the severity of menopausal symptoms. However, opinions on the health impacts of soy vary, with a preference for natural sources over supplements or processed foods with added soy protein.

7. Drink enough water

• Menopause often brings about dryness due to lower estrogen levels. Drinking 8-12 glasses of water daily can alleviate dryness and bloating. Water also supports weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness and slightly boosting metabolism. Consuming 17 ounces (500 ml) of water half an hour before meals may result in eating 13% fewer calories.

8. Reduce refined sugar and processed foods

• Refined carbs and sugars can spike and crash blood sugar, exacerbating tiredness and irritability, potentially intensifying menopause symptoms. A study links refined carb-rich diets to a higher depression risk in postmenopausal women. Moreover, processed foods may compromise bone health, particularly when they displace essential nutrients in a balanced diet. An observational study indicates that such diets correlate with inferior bone quality in women aged 50 to 59.

9. Don’t skip meals

• Regular meal patterns can be crucial during menopause, as irregular eating may exacerbate symptoms and hinder weight management. A yearlong study in postmenopausal women revealed that skipping meals correlated with 4.3% less weight loss.

10. Eat protein-rich foods

• Consuming protein regularly helps maintain muscle mass as you age. Research indicates that protein at each meal can slow age-related muscle decline. High-protein diets also aid weight loss by increasing satiety and calorie expenditure. Protein sources include meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and dairy. For options, refer to a list of 20 healthy high-protein foods.