Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of your menstrual cycle. You officially reach menopause after you have gone 12 months without menstrual periods. Your doctor can diagnose you with menopause in your 40s or early 50s, but the average age is usually 51.
As you transition to menopause, your body produces lower levels of female hormones; estrogen and progestin. As a result, you may experience physical and emotional symptoms that affect your quality of life.
The common symptoms associated with Jackson Heights menopause include hot flashes, weight gain, and mood changes. The following are different treatments to help you manage menopause symptoms.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen is an effective treatment option for women with menopausal hot flashes. Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose and at the shortest duration.
If your uterus is still in place, you may need to take estrogen with progestin to reduce your risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen is available in different forms, including skin patches, rings, gel, cream, and spray. Besides symptom relief, estrogen also prevents osteoporosis or bone loss.
However, long-term hormone therapy may cause serious health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. Specialists recommend starting treatment around menopause to reduce the risk of the issues.
You can consult your doctor to learn about the benefits and risks of this treatment and whether it is a safe choice for you.
Vaginal Estrogen
Vaginal dryness is a common menopausal symptom that often affects your sex life. If you are experiencing pain during sex due to vaginal dryness, your doctor may recommend vaginal estrogen.
It is available in tablet, ring, or cream and is administered directly into the vagina. The rings, pill, or cream gradually release estrogen that your vaginal tissues absorb. Most women who use vaginal estrogen report relief from vaginal dryness and some urinary symptoms.
Lifestyle Remedies
Sometimes all you need to alleviate menopausal symptoms are simple lifestyle adjustments. For example, having a glass of water or sitting in a cool place can help you reduce or prevent hot flashes.
Pinpointing your triggers for hot flashes can help you prevent them. For most women, triggers include caffeine, spicy foods, hot beverages, stress, hot weather, and alcohol. If you have vaginal dryness, you can try out over-the-counter water-based lubricants to help you reduce discomfort.
Remaining sexually active increases blood flow to the vagina, which may help with vaginal pain. When choosing a lubricant, consider one that does not contain glycerin which can cause irritation or burning if you are sensitive to the chemical.
You may need to stop smoking since it increases hot flashes and puts you at risk of stroke, osteoporosis, heart disease, and other health problems. It is also essential that you make physical activity part of your everyday life to help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and other severe conditions.
Your meals should also be balanced in diet, and you should limit sugars, oils, and saturated fats.
If you have further questions about menopause, consult your doctor today at Raveco Medical.
