Understanding Menopause
Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when no eggs or estrogen are left in the ovaries. This usually happens between 45 and 55, although it can occur earlier or later depending on a woman’s age and how long she has been getting her periods. Aurora OB/GYN can help women manage their menopause symptoms.
The onset of menopause is gradual and may not be noticed by most women until they have gone through five years of not having their periods. However, some women notice changes in their moods and physical health during this period, including hot flashes and night sweats.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Hot flashes: The most common symptom associated with menopause is hot flashes. Hot flashes are short-lived episodes of intense heat throughout the body. They may last only seconds or minutes, but they can be very uncomfortable for some women. Hot flashes may be worse for women who already experience other symptoms, such as night sweats or sleep disturbances.
Irregular menstrual periods: Some women’s periods become irregular after menopause begins. This may be due to changes in hormone levels or because of other medical conditions that affect a woman’s cycle (such as polycystic ovary syndrome).
Excessive sweating: Excessive sweating is a symptom of menopause. Sweating is a normal body function that helps keep you cool and prevents you from overheating. However, if sweating continues for more than a few hours each day, or if other symptoms like chills or shivering accompany it, it should be checked out by your doctor.
Vaginal dryness: Vaginal dryness is another common symptom of menopause due to decreased estrogen levels (more so than hot flashes). The atrophy of vaginal tissue causes vaginal dryness because of reduced estrogen levels. It may also be caused by increased production of testosterone by the ovaries, which causes the shrinking of vaginal tissue and other symptoms such as urinary frequency or urgency.
How to treat menopause
Vaginal rings
Vaginal rings are an excellent option for women who want to treat their symptoms of menopause. The ring is inserted into the vagina and contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. The estrogen in the ring helps to promote healthy vaginal tissue. Vaginal rings will help prevent hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms of menopause.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is another option that is used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. These mild symptoms may be treated with a cream or gel containing estrogen or progesterone hormones.
Vaginal moisturizers
Vaginal moisturizers help keep your vagina healthy and moist by helping keep the lining of your vagina healthy and moist during menopause. They also help reduce irritation caused by dryness while protecting from infection or cancerous growths that could develop if not treated properly.
Menopause is a medical condition that happens to some women after they have gone through childbearing years. Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and irritability. The best way to treat menopause depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much you want to control them. For recommendations on how to treat your menopause, contact Aurora OB/GYN experts.
