Conditions
MENOPAUSE
Symptoms
Menopause literally means ‘pause in menstruation’, and usually occurs between the ages of 38 and 58 years. For some women it is a difficult and emotional time, and it is important to remember that each woman's experience is highly individual. Some women may experience few or no symptoms of menopause, while others may experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms. Menopause symptoms may also follow a hysterectomy, or be due to an underlying hormonal disorder. Symptoms include:
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Emotional and cognitive symptoms
• Nausea, constipation, palpitations, weight gain
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Urinary symptoms
• Swollen ankles
• Headaches
• More frequent urination
• Loss of sexual drive
• Other physical changes
Menopause can go on for many years, but once a woman has not had a period for one year she is considered to be ‘postmenopausal’. Most menopausal symptoms go away after menstruation ceases.
Causes
Menopause is triggered when the ovaries no longer respond to the controlling hormones released by the pituitary gland. As a result, the ovaries stop releasing an egg each month and no longer produce the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. In addition to its role as a hormone which stimulates the function of the female reproductive organs, oestrogen also stimulates receptors in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver and brain, and helps promote normal function of these organs.
Oestrogen is also required to keep the skin and vaginal tract moist and supple. It helps keep calcium in the bones, maintains a balanced body temperature, and assists keeping blood vessels unclogged. Cholesterol levels can increase after menopause.
How to treat it
Menopause itself cannot be treated. It is a natural stage of life when the ovaries no longer produce oestrogen and progesterone. However, oestrogen is still needed to maintain healthy body tissues. And long-term oestrogen deficiency can result in an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease.
To help prevent such problems associated with this change of life, many women take oestrogen to replace what the body is no longer producing. This treatment is called oestrogen or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). You and your doctor should carefully review your symptoms and relative risk, before determining whether the benefits of HRT or other therapies outweigh the risks.
Lifestyle considerations
Because menopause is a normal life transition, there is no necessary medical treatment. Which is why a high-fibre, low-fat diet and reducing your intake of dairy and processed foods is recommended.
Also commence or perform an aerobic exercise for 30 minutes every day, to help with the weight gain that normally tends to occur with menopause. Stress reduction techniques, and supplements like Herron Stress Relief are also recommended.
If night sweats start to become a major issue, avoid wearing nightwear that is made from synthetic materials, as they tend to hold in heat. Instead consider wearing natural fibres that allow air to circulate, and the skin to breathe and sweat freely when the body needs to cool down.
Physical activity such as weight-bearing exercises are essential in avoiding demineralisation of bone that occurs during menopause, and can lead to osteoporosis. Weight-lifting, jogging and brisk walking can all be helpful.
Your doctor can provide expert advice regarding safe participation in exercise and a healthy lifestyle to complement your menopause treatment. This website also contains some excellent resources, so take some time to browse. Your local pharmacist is an excellent source of information about menopause supplements that may be helpful in your treatment.
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How Herron Can Help
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Calcium Plus
Suitable for children, women and older adults requiring a calcium supplement to help strengthen bone and tissue. Assists in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. more -
Menopause Relief
Menopause Relief is a high potency formula that provides relief to the symptoms of menopause, assists in the prevention of osteoporosis, and helps maintain healthy bones and teeth. more