Menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55: it’s a natural part of ageing that takes place when oestrogen levels start to decline. Symptoms can vary in nature, severity and longevity from woman to woman, but the first sign is a change in your periods: they may be unusually light or heavy and will be irregular—some women have them every two to three months while others may not have periods for months at a time. Eventually, they will cease altogether.
Aside from this, most women will experience other symptoms before and after their periods stop. These include hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, diminished libido, headaches, vaginal dryness, pain or discomfort during sex, heart palpitations and frequent urinary tract infections. You could also experience aches and stiffness in your joints, reduced muscle mass and you may have a greater risk of developing conditions such as osteoporosis (or weak bones, as it’s more commonly known). Typically these symptoms can start months or years before your periods stop and last for around four years from your last period—although a small minority have experienced them for much longer.
Managing with menopause can impact negatively on daily life—many women, for example, struggle with hot flushes: brief but intense feelings of heat in the face, neck and chest that make your skin red and sweaty. Some women do not need to seek remedies for the symptoms of menopause, but if you are struggling then there are treatments available that may alleviate your discomfort.
Hormone replacement therapy
One of the main—and most controversial—treatments for the symptoms associated with menopause is HRT, where you take oestrogen to replace what your body is no longer able to produce. There are two types: combined (oestrogen and progestogen) for women who still have their womb, and oestrogen-only, for women who have had their womb removed. HRT became less popular as a treatment when it came under scrutiny in the early 2000s because of a link with breast cancer. However, new guidelines from NICE recommend that HRT should still be offered to women, providing that they’ve been informed about the risks and benefits it comes with.
You can receive HRT in the form of skin patches, tablets, gel or implants, and the benefits include relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. However, the drawbacks can be significant. You may have breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding and headaches. It also comes with a higher risk of blood clots or breast cancer for certain women.
See also: Breast Cancer Concerns
Mood changes
Whilst managing with menopause, it’s common to experience sudden changes in mood and anxiety during menopause, and remedies for this could include doing plenty of exercise, and taking part in relaxing activities such as yoga. If your mood swings or anxiety are seriously affecting you, then HRT and cognitive behavioural therapy could also work—or anti-depressants if you are diagnosed with depression.
Lowered libido and vaginal dryness
Managing with menopause can also cause women to experience a loss of sexual desire during menopause. HRT may help with this or your doctor might offer you testosterone, the male sex hormone—it can help restore your sex drive if you’re menopausal. Vaginal discomfort such as dryness, itching and pain can be treated with oestrogen, usually in the form of a pessary, cream or ring inside your vagina. Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants may also help.
Hot flushes
Hot flushes and night sweats can make everyday life very uncomfortable for women. If you suffer from them make sure your bedroom is cool at night, and wear light clothing at all times. Cold showers and iced drinks may help, as will fans. Be aware of triggers such as stress, caffeine and alcohol. If your symptoms are severe then talk to your GP—they may recommend HRT. If that’s not suitable for you, other medications such as certain anti-depressants or clonidine, a high blood pressure medicine, may help managing with menopause a little easier.
If you have enjoyed reading this article on managing with menopause, click here to read more on Celebrity Angels about detecting the early signs of ovarian cancer.
See also: How to Manage Your Menopause
Dr Hilary Jones urges women not to worry about new HRT breast cancer risk
