Menopause: Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies
Menopause: Symptoms and Remedies
Menopause
Menopause refers to the period in a woman's life during which the production of estrogen and progesterone— hormones produced by the ovaries that are responsible for fertility and menstruation—decline. Consequently, menstruation becomes irregular and eventually ceases altogether. For most women, menopause is a natural event that lasts from 1 to 3 years, beginning in a woman's 40s to mid–50s. (Younger women may experience menopause following the removal of their ovaries—a syndrome referred to as "surgical menopause.") Menopause is considered complete after a year has passed without a menstrual period. Menopause is associated with a number of symptoms; however, these symptoms vary considerably in frequency and intensity from one woman to another. For many women, symptoms are mild and/or infrequent, and therefore tolerable. For other women, symptoms are so severe that some form of intervention is necessary. While most symptoms of menopause are relatively innocuous, the decline in hormone production can cause bone loss and alterations in cholesterol levels —changes that can markedly increase the risks of two serious disorders, osteoporosis and coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Irregular menstrual periods or absence of menstrual periods.
- Hot flashes.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Painful intercourse.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Mood changes, such as anxiety, irritability, and depression.
- In most women, the natural decline in production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone cause menopause and its associated symptoms.
- Surgical removal of the ovaries results in "surgical menopause" due to the sudden decline in hormone production. Surgical menopause may be associated with more severe symptoms than menopause that occurs naturally.
- Menopause itself is not preventable.
- Lifestyle measures, such as eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercising, and quitting smoking, help prevent osteoporosis. Certain medications may also be used to prevent bone loss.
- Lifestyle measures also help prevent CHD. These include eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, smoking cessation, and exercising regularly. Specific medications may also be prescribed to those at high risk for CHD.
- Blood and urine tests can confirm that irregular menstrual periods are related to menopause.
- A Pap smear can identify changes in the vaginal lining that signal the decline in estrogen production.
- Imaging studies may be used to screen women for osteoporosis.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has classically been used to treat menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and to prevent osteoporosis and CHD. However, mounting evidence suggests that HRT increases the risk of CHD and breast cancer. Moreover, while HRT has been shown to protect against osteoporosis, bone loss begins to decline once HRT is discontinued. Therefore, the decision to start HRT should be made in consultation with your physician after weighing the risks and benefits of therapy.
- Many dietary supplements, such as black cohosh, vitamin E, and soy products, are marketed as remedies for menopausal symptoms. However, to date, there is insufficient evidence documenting their safety or efficacy. Decisions regarding the use of such supplements should be made in consultation with your physician.
- Topical hormone creams or vaginal tablets may be prescribed to alleviate vaginal dryness and pain associated with intercourse. These preparations are not associated with the adverse effects of HRT. Over–the–counter topical lubricants applied prior to intercourse may also be helpful.
- Call a doctor to discuss possible treatment options for menopausal symptoms.
- Postmenopausal women should call a physician if they experience any vaginal bleeding.
- Women under 40 should call a physician if they experience symptoms associated with menopause.
For more information on Menopause, click on this link -- Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: Healthy Living
Notify Me
Would you like us to inform you when we post new Healthy Living Health Alerts?
