The Truth About The Menopause and How Important It Is To Take Care of Yourself
My book (which you can read all about in my other posting, along with my post regarding anti-depressants), contains a chapter entitled 'How stress can double the misery of hot flashes and cold sweats during the menopause'. Like the rest of my journey, which you follow in my book, it shows you my experiences as they are happening and this is especially true in this chapter.
I tell how I gave in to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) patches against my better judgement and the resulting reaction in only two months, which ended up in my having to have a 'scraping' done of my endometrium for testing at the hospital. What I have not told you, which transpired 7 weeks after this test, was that the hospital managed to lose it! no trace could be found. It was fortunate that this was done as a precautionary measure only - to check that all was ok.
Luckily I recently had a couple of scans which showed that all was 'normal' which has gone a long way to reassuring me. I was disappointed because the patches had actually stopped the hot flashes, so now they are back again. I have no doubt that my alternative health therapies have stopped the severity of the menopause.
This chapter also tells of how I helped myself and the various alternative therapies that you can try to alleviate the distresssing symptoms for yourself, along with healthy eating. I am bringing you this post to further help you (which was the reason for writing my book in the first place). By chance I found the article below and as it says to share the information, I am pleased to do so - therefore not taking any credit for the article whatsoever!
Here goes, I hope that it helps you:
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Menopause, Menopause Symptoms, Perimenopause
Menopause is a normal part of life. It is one step in a long, slow process of reproductive aging. For most women this process begins silently somewhere around age 40 when periods may start to be less regular. Declining levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause changes in your periods. These hormones are important for keeping the vagina and uterus healthy as well as for normal menstrual cycles and for successful pregnancy. Estrogen also helps to keep bones healthy. It helps women keep good cholesterol levels in their blood.
Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.
Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.
What Are Menopause Symptoms, Hormones and Change?
A woman’s body changes throughout her lifetime. Many of those changes are due to varying hormone levels that happen at different stages in life. Puberty often starts when a girl is about 12 years old. Her body changes breasts and pubic hair develop, monthly periods begin.
Menopausal transition, commonly called perimenopause, is the time when a woman’s body is closer to menopause. At this time, a woman’s periods may become less regular, and she may start to feel menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 4 years before the last menstrual period. It lasts for about 1 year after your last period. Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. You cannot know for sure what is your last period until you have been period free for 1 full year. Post menopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Pregnancy is no longer possible. There may be some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, which may continue long after you have passed through menopause.
Menopausal transition, commonly called perimenopause, is the time when a woman’s body is closer to menopause. At this time, a woman’s periods may become less regular, and she may start to feel menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 4 years before the last menstrual period. It lasts for about 1 year after your last period. Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. You cannot know for sure what is your last period until you have been period free for 1 full year. Post menopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Pregnancy is no longer possible. There may be some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, which may continue long after you have passed through menopause.
What Are the Signs of Menopause and Menopause Symptoms?
Changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms that may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women have slight discomfort or worse. Others have little or no trouble. If any of these changes bother you, check with your doctor. The most common symptoms are:
Changes in periods. One of the first signs may be a change in a woman’s periods. Many women become less regular; some have a lighter flow than normal; others have a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may come less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps will find relief from these symptoms when menopause starts.
Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most flashes last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.
Problems with the vagina and bladder. The genital area can get drier and thinner as estrogen levels change. This dryness may make sexual intercourse painful. Vaginal infections can become more common. Some women have more urinary tract infections. Other problems can make it hard to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Some women find that urine leaks during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.
Sex. Some women find that their feelings about sex change with menopause. Some have changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause relieved that pregnancy is no longer a worry. Until you have had 1 full year without a period, you should still use birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. After menopause a woman can still get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS or gonorrhea. If you are worried about STDs, make sure your partner uses a condom each time you have sex.
Sleep problems. Some women find they have a hard time getting a good night sleep they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. They may need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and then find they aren’t able to fall back to sleep. Hot flashes also may cause some women to wake up.
Mood changes. There may be a relationship between changes in estrogen levels and a woman’s mood. Shifts in mood may also be caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is NOT a symptom of menopause.
Changes in your body. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. With age, waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue may increase, skin may get thinner. Other women have memory problems, or joint and muscle stiffness and pain. With regular exercise and attention to diet, many of these changes may be eased or prevented.
Changes in periods. One of the first signs may be a change in a woman’s periods. Many women become less regular; some have a lighter flow than normal; others have a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may come less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps will find relief from these symptoms when menopause starts.
Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most flashes last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.
Problems with the vagina and bladder. The genital area can get drier and thinner as estrogen levels change. This dryness may make sexual intercourse painful. Vaginal infections can become more common. Some women have more urinary tract infections. Other problems can make it hard to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Some women find that urine leaks during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.
Sex. Some women find that their feelings about sex change with menopause. Some have changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause relieved that pregnancy is no longer a worry. Until you have had 1 full year without a period, you should still use birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. After menopause a woman can still get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS or gonorrhea. If you are worried about STDs, make sure your partner uses a condom each time you have sex.
Sleep problems. Some women find they have a hard time getting a good night sleep they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. They may need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and then find they aren’t able to fall back to sleep. Hot flashes also may cause some women to wake up.
Mood changes. There may be a relationship between changes in estrogen levels and a woman’s mood. Shifts in mood may also be caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is NOT a symptom of menopause.
Changes in your body. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. With age, waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue may increase, skin may get thinner. Other women have memory problems, or joint and muscle stiffness and pain. With regular exercise and attention to diet, many of these changes may be eased or prevented.
What About Heart and Bones for Menopause Symptom Relief?
You may not even notice two important changes that happen with menopause.
* Loss of bone tissue can weaken your bones and cause osteoporosis.
* Heart disease risk may grow, due to age-related increases in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Osteoporosis. To maintain strong bones, the body is always breaking down old bone and replacing it with new healthy bone. For women, the loss of estrogen around the time of menopause causes more bone to be lost than is replaced. If too much bone is lost, bones become thin and weak and can break easily. Many people do not know they have weak bones until they break a wrist, hip, or spine bone (vertebrae). Doctors can test bone density (bone densitometry) to find out if you are at risk of osteoporosis. You can lower your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis by making changes to your lifestyle regular weight-bearing exercise and getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help. There are also drugs available that prevent bone loss. Talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you.
Heart disease. Younger women have a lower risk of heart disease than do men of the same age. But after menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease is almost the same as a man. In fact, heart disease is the major cause of death in women, killing more women than lung or breast cancer. It’s important to know your blood pressure, and levels of cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose. You can lower your chance of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, losing weight, and exercising regularly. There are also drugs that can help. Talk to your doctor to be sure you are doing everything possible to protect your heart.
* Loss of bone tissue can weaken your bones and cause osteoporosis.
* Heart disease risk may grow, due to age-related increases in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Osteoporosis. To maintain strong bones, the body is always breaking down old bone and replacing it with new healthy bone. For women, the loss of estrogen around the time of menopause causes more bone to be lost than is replaced. If too much bone is lost, bones become thin and weak and can break easily. Many people do not know they have weak bones until they break a wrist, hip, or spine bone (vertebrae). Doctors can test bone density (bone densitometry) to find out if you are at risk of osteoporosis. You can lower your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis by making changes to your lifestyle regular weight-bearing exercise and getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help. There are also drugs available that prevent bone loss. Talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you.
Heart disease. Younger women have a lower risk of heart disease than do men of the same age. But after menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease is almost the same as a man. In fact, heart disease is the major cause of death in women, killing more women than lung or breast cancer. It’s important to know your blood pressure, and levels of cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose. You can lower your chance of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, losing weight, and exercising regularly. There are also drugs that can help. Talk to your doctor to be sure you are doing everything possible to protect your heart.
How Can I Stay Healthy Throughout Menopause?
To stay healthy you can make some changes in the way you live. For example:
* Don’t smoke.
* Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Your diet should aim to be high in fiber and include fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods. It should also be well balanced in vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* Take part in weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, running, or dancing, at least 3 days each week.
* Take medicine to lower your blood pressure if your doctor prescribes it for you.
* For vaginal discomfort, use a water-based vaginal lubricant (not petroleum jelly) or an estrogen cream.
* If you frequently feel an urgent need to urinate, ask your doctor about techniques such as pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, and bladder training that can help you improve muscle control.
* Be sure to get regular pelvic and breast exams, Pap tests, and mammograms. Contact your doctor right away if you notice a lump in your breast.
* If you are having hot flashes, keep a diary to track when they happen. You may be able to use this information to help find out what triggers them.
Try these tips to help manage hot flashes:
* When a hot flash starts, go somewhere cool.
* If hot flashes wake you at night, try sleeping in a cool room.
* Dress in layers that you can take off if you get too warm.
* Use sheets and clothing that let your skin breathe.
* Have a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash.
* Don’t smoke.
* Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Your diet should aim to be high in fiber and include fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods. It should also be well balanced in vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* Take part in weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, running, or dancing, at least 3 days each week.
* Take medicine to lower your blood pressure if your doctor prescribes it for you.
* For vaginal discomfort, use a water-based vaginal lubricant (not petroleum jelly) or an estrogen cream.
* If you frequently feel an urgent need to urinate, ask your doctor about techniques such as pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, and bladder training that can help you improve muscle control.
* Be sure to get regular pelvic and breast exams, Pap tests, and mammograms. Contact your doctor right away if you notice a lump in your breast.
* If you are having hot flashes, keep a diary to track when they happen. You may be able to use this information to help find out what triggers them.
Try these tips to help manage hot flashes:
* When a hot flash starts, go somewhere cool.
* If hot flashes wake you at night, try sleeping in a cool room.
* Dress in layers that you can take off if you get too warm.
* Use sheets and clothing that let your skin breathe.
* Have a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash.
What About Hormone Replacement for Menopause Symptom Relief?
Recent studies are recommending that hormone replacement therapy using estrogen and progestin (HRT) be used only for short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Studies involving women taking estrogen without progestin (ERT) are still in progress. While ERT alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, estrogen taken in combination with progestin (HRT) does not increase the risk. Women who have had a hysterectomy do not have an increased risk of uterine cancer.
A woman who has a uterus and is unable to tolerate the side effects of progestin in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may consider estrogen-only replacement therapy (ERT) if testing shows no abnormalities of the endometrium. Close observation for precancerous changes of the endometrium is required, including an annual pelvic exam and an annual endometrial biopsy.
No studies have compared different types estrogens to see whether there is a difference in their effects. Some women prefer estrogens that do not come from animal products.
Studies involving women taking estrogen without progestin (ERT) are still in progress. While ERT alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, estrogen taken in combination with progestin (HRT) does not increase the risk. Women who have had a hysterectomy do not have an increased risk of uterine cancer.
A woman who has a uterus and is unable to tolerate the side effects of progestin in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may consider estrogen-only replacement therapy (ERT) if testing shows no abnormalities of the endometrium. Close observation for precancerous changes of the endometrium is required, including an annual pelvic exam and an annual endometrial biopsy.
No studies have compared different types estrogens to see whether there is a difference in their effects. Some women prefer estrogens that do not come from animal products.
HRT was initially only licensed as a treatment for osteoporosis
but was widely prescribed for symptoms of the menopause and to prevent heart disease - based on the assumption that women are less likely to suffer a heart attack while younger because of high estrogen levels. so if they were given high doses in later life if would offer the same protection. When the results of the Women's Health Initiative study were published in 2002, involving over 16,000 women over 50, it turned out that those on the drug did have fewer hip fractures and colorectal cancer they also had an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.
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Unfortunately, I had a coil fitted for 5 years because of very heavy periods for 35 years so it was impossible to know just when my periods had stopped naturally (they had stopped altogether when having the coil fitted). You do need this information before starting HRT so this did ultimately worry me as both myself and my doctor had no way of knowing this.
This was not helped by the fact that 10 months before I had had some blood tests taken and was only then informed, by chance, that my periods had stopped then! this meant that I had the coil in for no good reason! Also, I started HRT patches just 12 days after having the coil removed.
I strongly suggest that all factors are considered before you decide to go down this road. Personally I am now glad to have ceased the patches and will try every alternative method going as I really do not want any more HRT in any shape or form!
Again, you can make your own informed decision but remember there are lots of other things you can try - most of which you can read about in my book which will be out soon, both in physical form and PDF.
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Bonnie
The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It (author)
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5 comments:
Great overview on menopause symptoms. Thanks
Bonnie, kudos to you for providing some excellent insight on menopause. I would like to add that natural/herbal menopause supplements are effective in treating menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. I tried Femestra. It helped me with those irritable mood swings and bloating. I am sharing the link to their website
http://www.femestradirect.com/
The word “menopause” literally means the “end of monthly cycles” from the Greek word pausis (cessation) and the root men- (month), because the word “menopause” was created to describe this change in human females, where the end of fertility is traditionally indicated by the permanent stopping of monthly menstruation or menses.
check this out What age does menopause start
print is way too small!
Bonnie what help is there for not sleeping? I am on Zoloft and lozaepam (for anxiety) I tried Ambien and it did not help. Is there anything I can do, I am supposed to keep up my regular schedule and no sleep.
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