Here are the 6 things that women should know about menopause
MENOPAUSE – This stage in the lives of women is inevitable and it can be worrisome for many but here are the 6 things that will make them more prepared for this.
According to the study in the journal Maturitas, 65 percent of women say they feel unprepared for what this stage will bring into their lives. On the other hand, Sarah De La Torre, M.D., an ob/gyn in Seattle said that unlike other hormonal changes such as puberty and pregnancy, women can have more control in menopause. With this, women should learn these 6 things.
Duration
“But it’s not a hard stop — it’s a gradual process,” Felice Gersh, M.D., an ob/gyn, director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in Irvine, CA, and author of PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones and Happiness explained. The symptoms can last for 7 years or even beyond that period.
Before menopause happens, a woman can experience that her “cycle can get erratic, your periods may grow heavier or lighter, and you might experience classic symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, brain fog, and mood swings” as what Dr. Gersh noted. As your body adjusts, the symptoms may linger.
Hot flashes
This symptom is one of the common things that happens to 80 percent of pre-menopausal women and 65 percent of post-menopausal women. Though it can’t be avoided, there are ways to minimize its effect. Dr. De La Torre said that hot flashes can be triggered by stress, hot drinks, caffeine, and sleep deprivation. These factors can also worsen the hot flashes and will add to its frequency. Women should also avoid spicy foods, hot rooms, and tight clothing. On the other hand, having more sleep, healthy foods, and plenty of exercises can help.
Intercourse
According to Dr. De La Torre, having intercourse can still be enjoyed even during menopause. This is contrary to what most women have in mind. Harvard’s Women Health Watch has a report regarding this matter. It was stated that 90 percent of women, who are experiencing a problem in having intercourse, are not consulting a doctor while only 10 percent open up.
Pregnancy is still possible
“I think some women get more casual about birth control in their 40s, thinking there’s no way they could get pregnant — but you’re still fertile, just less so,” Dr. Dela Torre said. Taking hormonal birth control can also help you have a smoother journey through this phase of your life. She also said that the majority of women are having ridiculously heavy or erratic periods in perimenopause, and progesterone-releasing IUDs.
No effect on the reproductive system
As estrogen is the “master of metabolic homeostasis [a.k.a balance] and function”, according to Dr. Gersh, when production ceases, it results in other issues such as fat production and distribution, appetite hormones and thyroid function to energy levels, sleep, mood, inflammation, and many more.
Dr. Dela Torre said that this phase prompts that a woman should have an extra effort to take care of themselves. 90 percent of women gain weight after menopause and the risk of heart disease increases as the hormone declines.
Mental health
“Women already have twice the risk of depression and anxiety as men, and that can escalate during the menopause transition,” Dr. Gersh said. This stage in the life of a woman can bring more stress but positive social support can really help, according to a study. “Taking care of your mental health should be a huge priority,” she also said.
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