Menopause
The climacteric is the period of hormonal change around the age of 50. In everyday language, it is more commonly referred to as menopause or the change of life. The decline in female sex hormones in the blood leads to physical changes that can cause discomfort for many women. Not all women experience problems with hormonal changes. About one-third only notice the gradual cessation of menstruation. However, most women experience discomfort over several years, and about half of them find it so severe that they seek treatment. The individual severity can vary greatly.
Symptoms:
- Absence of menstruation
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Dry skin and mucous membranes
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
Making a diagnosis:
Usually, the presence of typical symptoms at the appropriate age is sufficient to determine the onset of menopause. The absence of periods for one year justifies a "diagnosis" of menopause. The gynecologist can also determine the onset of menopause by measuring hormone levels: a blood test is used to determine the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which rises sharply as ovarian function declines. Estrogen levels are reduced.
Treatment:
There are a variety of options available for treating menopausal symptoms: conventional hormone replacement therapy, alternative and complementary medicine, etc. The type of therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms and any secondary conditions.
Regular exercise and sport improve a whole range of symptoms, e.g. hot flashes, sweating, and sleep disorders. Women who keep fit are rewarded by their bodies with "happiness hormones" (endorphins), which in turn leads to greater inner contentment and balance. Building muscle causes the body to burn more energy again and helps to maintain the figure. Many women tend to gain weight during menopause as their muscle mass decreases and their energy expenditure drops. Gynecologists therefore recommend keeping your body mass index (BMI) below 25. If you don't want to gain excessive weight, you should adjust your diet to your changed energy consumption at the beginning of menopause.
Herbal remedies such as monk's pepper (Vitex agnus castus), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa), and others are well tolerated and can alleviate menopausal symptoms.
If the menopausal symptoms are more pronounced, it is usually essential for a doctor to prescribe hormones. After weighing up the benefits and risks on an individual basis, the doctor decides which hormones (estrogens, progestogens, androgens) are suitable.
At our pharmacy, we can offer you a wide range of natural products, as well as hormonal products prescribed by a doctor. Come by and we will be happy to advise you.