Menopause
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when she stops having monthly menstrual periods and is signalled by 12 months since last menstruation. At this time, her ovaries stop releasing eggs and stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 with the average age for Australian women at 51.
How do I know if I am going through menopause?
Most women start to wonder about menopause when their periods start to change. If you are going through menopause, you might
- Have a change in menstrual bleeding pattern/flow
- Have menstrual bleeding that lasts for fewer days than before
- Have symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes
If your uterus has been removed, but you still have your ovaries, it might be more difficult to tell that you are going through menopause, although you can still have menopause symptoms. If your ovaries were removed before the usual age of menopause, this is considered as “surgical menopause.” Because your ovaries were removed, you may experience menopause earlier than most women.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Some women go through menopause without symptoms. But most have one or a combination of symptoms.
- Hot flashes – Hot flashes feel like a wave of heat that starts in your chest and face and then moves through your body. Hot flashes usually start happening before you stop having menstrual periods.
- Night sweats – When hot flashes happen during sleep, they are called “night sweats,” commonly interrupting a good night’s sleep.
- Sleep problems – Some women find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep during the transition to menopause, This can still happen to women who aren’t experiencing night sweats.
- Vaginal dryness – Menopause can cause the vagina and tissues near the vagina to become dry and thin. This can be uncomfortable or make sex painful.
- Depression – During the transition to menopause, some women start having signs of depression. That’s especially true for women who have experienced depression before. Depression symptoms include:
- Sadness
- Lack of motivation or interest in doing things
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things – This might be caused by lack of sleep, which often happens during menopause. Some experts suggest that this could also be from a low levels of oestrogen, which is important for good brain function.
How are the symptoms of menopause treated?
Depending on your circumstances, there may be some options to help treat your symptoms of menopause and include
Hormones (oestrogen)
The hormone oestrogen is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Women who no longer have a uterus can take oestrogen by itself, whilst women with a uterus must take oestrogen with another hormone, called progesterone. Experts believe these hormones are effective and safe for many women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause in their 40s and 50s. If you want to take hormones, please discuss your options with Dr Kothari. You should not take hormones if you have had breast cancer, a heart attack, a stroke, or a blood clot.
Women who have vaginal dryness without other symptoms of menopause can try ‘vaginal oestrogen.’ Vaginal oestrogen is inserted directly into the vagina. It comes in creams, tablets, or a flexible ring. Vaginal oestrogen is provided in small doses, and is designed to have minimal impact on the levels of oestrogen in other parts of the body.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease hot flashes and depression. Women who aren’t depressed can also take them to help with hot flashes.
Dr Kothari is highly experienced with patients transitioning through menopause. He will discuss your treatment options based on your individual needs during your consultation.
Can I do anything on my own to reduce the symptoms of menopause?
Yes, there are some steps you can try to help reduce some symptoms of menopause. Please discuss your options with Dr Kothari before using any ‘natural remedies.’ Some natural remedies might not be safe, especially for women who have a history of breast cancer.
Osteoporosis and menopause
After menopause, women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis. This is due to oestrogen levels dropping, which is an important factor in maintaining bone strength in females. This may result in increased bone loss or weakened bones.
To help protect your bones, you can take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Regular exercise such as walking or light running can also help encourage bone strength. If you believe you have osteoporosis as a result on menopause, Dr Kothari will first assess your condition before referring you for a bone density test or prescribing medicine.
Should I see a doctor?
If you are 45 or over and your periods start changing, you do not need to see a doctor. But you should see Dr Kothari if you are experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms. For example, you should see Dr Kothari if you are having trouble sleeping due to night sweats, or if you start to feel sad or feel your quality of life has decreased.
You should also see your doctor if you:
- Have your period more often than every 3 weeks
- Have very heavy bleeding during your period
- Have spotting between your periods
- Have been through menopause (have gone 12 months without a period) and start bleeding again, even if it’s just a spot of blood
Is there a test for menopause?
There is a test available that can help determine menopause. Dr Kothari will usually use this test on women who are too young to be in menopause or who have special circumstances.
Can I still get pregnant?
If you are still getting your period, even if they do not happen often, you could still fall pregnant. If you are engaging in sexual intercourse and do not want to get pregnant, it is important to use some form of birth control. If you have not had a period for at least a full year, it is generally understood you have been through menopause and can no longer fall pregnant.
