| Signs
and Symptoms
Menopause is a phase of a normal woman's life, one that
more than 4,000 women enter each day. Menopause is defined
as the period in time when the ovaries cease functioning
and menstrual periods stop. In the United States the average
age of menopause is 51. The production of hormones in
a woman's body begins to decline, however, several years
before the onset of menopause. You may also hear the term
perimenopause or climacteric, which means the time from
when menstrual periods start to diminish up to a year
after the final menstrual period.
In the past, menopause was often treated as an illness,
a subject only talked about behind exam room doors. Today,
women want to understand the physical changes that are
happening to their bodies. They are seeking immediate
relief for their menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes
and vaginal dryness. They are also considering the impact
of menopause on their risk of chronic disease and their
long-term health.
There is abundant information available today for women
facing questions about menopause, particularly questions
about hormone replacement therapy. Unfortunately, much
of this information, including information from medical
research, can be confusing and difficult to interpret.
Vejthani Women's Health can provide individual consultation
about menopausal issues including hormone replacement
therapy. The Women's Health Resource Center can provide
written information for women who wish to read more on
their own.
Common symptoms of menopause include:
•
Reduced fertility
•
Changes in menstrual periods
•
Hot flashes
•
Vaginal dryness
•
Insomnia
•
Emotional changes
•
Libido changes
Most of these symptoms will stop after menopause is completed.
However, menopause also increases the risk of contracting
heart disease or osteoporosis, which continue after menopause
is completed. Although not associated with menopause,
cancer is associated with advancing age in women.
Diagnosis
Menopause usually is diagnosed by reviewing a woman's
medical history, symptoms and ruling out other causes
for the symptoms. In most cases, hormone tests aren't
necessary. If there is a question about hormone levels,
a blood test can be performed to measure the amount of
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the blood.
Other testing also may be done to ensure that a particular
symptom is a result of menopause and not some other underlying
causes.
Treatment
Most treatment is aimed at treating symptoms rather than
altering menopause, which is a natural and healthy condition
for most women. Treatments may include:
•
Lifestyle changes
•
Nonprescription medications
•
Prescription therapies
•
Treatments for specific symptoms such as lubricants for
vaginal dryness or anti-depressants for emotional changes
•
Preventive medications or supplements for chronic post-menopausal
conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease
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