Menopause

Menopause Treatment

• Menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
• Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether.
• It happens usually between 45 and 55 years of age,the average age is 51.
• 1 in 100 women menopause before 40 years of age- premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

What are the Symptoms?

Menopausal symptoms can begin months or even years before your periods stop and last around 4 years after your last period

• Hot flashes
• mood swings
• vaginal dryness,low sexual desire
• forgetfulness,trouble sleeping
• urinary incontinence
• Osteoporosis

What are the Treatment options?

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – tablets, skin patches, gels and implants that relieve menopausal symptoms by replacing oestrogen
• Vaginal oestrogen creams, lubricants or moisturisers for vaginal dryness
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – a type of talking therapy that can help with low mood and anxiety
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly – maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit and strong

Hot flashes-Treatment

• wearing light clothing
• keeping your bedroom cool at night
• taking a cool shower, using a fan or having a cold drink
• trying to reduce your stress levels
• avoiding potential triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol
• taking regular exercise and losing weight if you're overweight

Heart disease

Women have double the risk of heart problems after menopause. To prevent heart disease, one should follow a healthy

• Diet
• Exercise
  • Get regular, intentional physical activity.
  • At least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week.
  • Reduce your lifetime weight gain by limiting your calories and getting regular physical activity.
• Quit smoking
• Cholesterol lowering medication if needed
• Annual health check
  • Physical examination
  • Weight (BMI)
  • Blood pressure
• Labs
  • Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides
  • Diabetes screen

Osteoporosis prevention

Go for a regular Bone Marrow density test (BMD test) if

• Age more than 65
• Broke a bone before 50
• Menopausal with risk factors
• Positive family history
• Premature menopause
• Infrequent periods
• Exercise induced loss of periods
• Low BMI
• Medical issues( thyroid, prolactin, malabsorption, arthritis)
• Medication(steriods, antiepileptics, heparin)
• mmobility
• Alcohol, smoking
• Low calcium , vitamin D

For good bone health, one should

• Life style modifications- reduction in smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, and steroid intake .
• Weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercises-
• 30 minutes of regular exercises at least 4 days a week is recommended.
• Dietary calcium supplementation for women < 50 yrs is 1000mg/day and for women > 50 yrs is 1200 mg/day.
• Vit. D supplementation for women < 50 yrs is 400-800IU/day and for> 50 yrs is 800-1000IU/day