Women are well aware from early in their adult life that menopause will hit them at some point—but it can still be difficult to feel equipped for the changes it brings. Women’s Health Specialists partner with our patients during this process and can let you know how to relieve the symptoms of menopause.
What Does Menopause Mean?
When we’re telling patients about menopause, we also like to talk about the stage that comes before it, called perimenopause. There are commonalities and distinctions between these periods, but each bears qualities that will likely impact your daily life.
- Before menopause, perimenopause takes place in a woman’s 40s or even mid-thirties, as ovaries produce less estrogen and cycles become irregular. It can also bear a number of symptoms, like mood swings and hot flashes.
- Menopause can be defined as a stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods cease permanently, which means her reproductive phase is over. This can happen between the ages of 45 and 55, as confirmed by your provider, after a year without any periods.
Symptoms of Menopause
A wide variety of symptoms can arise during this time. It’s important to note everyone’s body is slightly different. Your doctor might be able to provide some insight into why yours might manifest in a particular way, given your medical history.
- Cycle Irregularities: Women will observe some changes in their normal menstrual cycles related to the frequency, intensity, and duration of their periods. This will happen before they stop completely and can bear a lot of severe hormonal consequences.
- Night Sweats and Hot Flashes: Heavy sweating can occur suddenly at night, or women can experience intense sensations of heat. These can both be startling and uncomfortable.
- Sleep Issues: Night sweats can be one of the reasons for frequent trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Vaginal Changes: Patients can experience differences in their normal vaginal conditions, such as reduced moisture and elasticity, which can be uncomfortable during sex.
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- Changes in Libido: In addition to these vaginal symptoms, overall sex drive can also be altered quite a bit.
- Mood Changes: When hormones begin to intensely fluctuate around this time, mood swings (extreme happiness or sadness, feelings of fatigue or exhaustion) are very normal.
- Cognitive Changes: The term “brain fog” is often used to describe issues with concentration or memory that might start to occur or intensify for patients already experiencing these symptoms. This can manifest in job functions, parenting practices, and other daily activities.
Remedies for Symptoms of Menopause
This can all sound like a lot because it is. Take a deep breath—and remember that every woman you know and have known is due to have menopause in common. Therefore, we’ve developed quite a few ways at Women’s Health Specialists to help make this experience more manageable.
- Listen to Your Body: Work with your entire team of medical providers to educate you about what menopause might look like for you individually based on genetics and existing conditions. Be mindful of the mental and physical signals your body is sending. Track shifts in your menstrual cycle, mood, sleep patterns, and other symptoms for your records and ours.
- Prioritize Physical Activity: Regular exercise is a fantastic way to reduce symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep problems. A balanced routine that includes cardiovascular activity, strength training, and flexibility exercises can improve your overall health.
- Constant Hydration: Stay as hydrated as you can. Drinking an adequate amount of water can be a powerful weapon against symptoms like fatigue, gastrointestinal and urinary issues, and headaches. Ask your provider about other supplements that can help with hydration levels.
- Find Support: Reach out to family, friends, or support groups for empathy, understanding, and encouragement during this transitional period. Sharing experiences can be a powerful way to feel supported and validated.
- Consider Hormone Therapy: Consult your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of hormone therapy (HT) or other medications for managing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Since HT isn’t suitable for all women, it’s important to have a thorough discussion to determine the best approach for you.
- Natural Therapy: Chiropractic care and acupuncture can help with changes in joint pain and discomfort, while aromatherapy using essential oils like lavender and peppermint has been proven to help with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep trouble in some patients.
- Self-Care is Golden: With professional ventures, a partner, and/or children—life can have a lot going on for a woman during this period of her life, though everyone is different! Whatever this looks like for you, self-care like yoga, therapy, and spending time outdoors can all promote relaxation.
A Team of Partners
The best news we can give you is that Women’s Health Specialists will always be here for you. Your individual provider, along with the rest of our team, makes sure that you’re well taken care of during this period of your life. Come see us soon in our Germantown office.