Just as menstruation is a major milestone in a woman’s reproductive life, so is menopause. The former marks the beginning of a woman’s reproductive journey, while the latter marks its end. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months without any other apparent physiological or pathological cause. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, although some may reach menopause before the age of 40.
Just like a girl has questions when she experiences her first period, women who go through menopause often have a lot of questions. To answer some of the most common questions related to menopause, the OnlyMyHealth team spoke to Dr Ranjana Bekon, Consultant Gynaecologist, Manipal Hospitals, Ghaziabad, and also found out effective ways to manage severe menopausal symptoms. Here is all the information you need to know.
Read more: Early menopause: Understanding the health risks and symptoms to watch out for
What are the early symptoms of menopause?
Hormonal changes are inevitable during menopause. According to the WHO, a woman’s body produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can affect her physical, emotional, mental and social health. This hormonal change therefore leads to a range of symptoms, including:
- fire
- Night sweats
- Irregular or irregular menstrual periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful sex
- Urinary incontinence
- Mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
Menopause can also lead to sleep problems, making you feel tired and irritable during the day, adds Dr Becon.
You may also experience loss of sex drive or sexual desire, or feel like crying or cry for no apparent reason.
Can lifestyle changes help control symptoms?
The short answer is yes, lifestyle changes can help manage menopausal symptoms.
For example, Dr. Becon says, “Women who exercise regularly may have better overall health and experience fewer menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.”
“Yoga, when combined with deep breathing exercises and massage, can be very effective. Additionally, a good diet, proper stress management and quitting smoking can also help reduce common symptoms of menopause,” she adds.
In a study published in the medical journal Medicina , researchers looked at the link between physical activity and menopausal symptoms in Polish women aged 40 to 65 and found that women who regularly engaged in physical activity, especially recreational activities, tended to have milder menopausal symptoms than women with lower levels of physical activity.
How effectively can women control severe menopausal symptoms?
When it comes to menopause, symptoms vary from person to person. Some women experience mild changes, while others experience severe symptoms.
According to Dr Becon, these symptoms are a natural part of menopause and may include hot flashes, insomnia, urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, weight gain, mood swings, vaginal dryness, hair loss, etc. In some cases, chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) may also become more pronounced.
Menstrual irregularities are common during menopause. Other symptoms women may experience include headaches, night sweats, atrophic vaginitis, depression, breast pain, joint and muscle pain, osteoporosis, fatigue, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infections, mental health issues and changes in cognitive function.
Again, it’s important to note that not all women experience all symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can vary greatly. Doctors advise that it’s important for anyone experiencing moderate to severe symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. Depending on an individual’s needs and suitability, treatment options such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended.
Read more: Hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms: Pros and cons
How does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) work?
According to StatPearls Publishing, HRT is a supplement for women who don’t produce enough hormones like estrogen and progesterone during menopause, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
In fact, a 2023 study published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association found that HRT was the most effective treatment for postmenopausal women with no risk factors.
But Dr Becon says the benefits and risks of HRT may vary depending on factors such as age, menopausal symptoms and personal risk factors.
For women under 60 who are experiencing menopausal symptoms but aren’t at high risk for breast cancer or blood clots, HRT can offer great benefits, she explains. It can ease symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression and vaginal dryness. Plus, HRT can help prevent osteoporosis by maintaining estrogen levels, which is especially important if you’re going through menopause before age 45.
But the doctors add that HRT is not without risks. It may increase the risk of breast cancer and blood clots, he said, and may not be suitable for women with a history of breast cancer. It may also increase the risk of stroke, and for women who still have a uterus, HRT can also cause vaginal bleeding.
What treatments are available for women with severe symptoms?
In addition to HRT, Dr Becon says menopausal women can also consider other treatments, including local hormone therapies like creams, patches, gels and inserts, which can be used to treat specific symptoms, such as vaginal dryness.
Additionally, non-hormonal medications, such as those prescribed to treat depression and blood pressure, can also help manage symptoms like hot flashes, doctors say, adding that neuroleptics and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) help relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness by enabling the body to use estrogen more effectively.
Because menopause increases the risk of bone loss, medications are available to treat osteoporosis, she says, but it’s important to remember that lifestyle changes are strongly recommended alongside these treatments.
Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing yoga, deep breathing exercises and regular massages can significantly reduce symptoms, says Dr Becon. He concludes that a balanced diet rich in diverse foods will also contribute to overall health during this time.
