Menopause
Menopause refers to the period of hormonal change around the age of 50. In everyday language, people tend to use the terms “menopause” or “menopausal transition.” The decline in female sex hormones in the blood leads to physical changes that can cause symptoms in many women. Not all women experience problems with these hormonal changes. About one-third simply notice that their menstrual periods gradually stop. Most women, however, experience symptoms for several years, and about half of them find the symptoms so severe that they seek treatment. The severity of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.
Symptoms:
- Absence of menstruation
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Dry skin and mucous membranes
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
Making the diagnosis:
Typically, the presence of typical symptoms at the appropriate age is sufficient to determine the onset of menopause. The absence of a period for one year then justifies the “diagnosis” of menopause. A gynecologist can also determine the onset of menopause based on hormone levels: A blood test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which rises sharply as ovarian function declines. Estrogen levels are reduced.
Treatment:
A wide range of options is available for treating menopausal symptoms: conventional hormone replacement therapy, alternative and complementary medicine… The type of therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms and any underlying medical conditions.
Regular exercise and physical activity can alleviate a wide range of symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. Women who stay physically active are rewarded by their bodies with “happiness hormones” (endorphins), which in turn lead to greater inner satisfaction and emotional balance. Building muscle causes the body to burn more energy again and helps maintain a healthy figure. Many women tend to gain weight during menopause because their muscle mass decreases, which in turn lowers their metabolic rate. That’s why gynecologists recommend keeping your Body Mass Index (BMI) below 25. So if you don’t want to gain excessive weight, you should adjust your diet to your changed energy expenditure right at the onset of menopause.
Herbal remedies such as chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa), and others are well tolerated and can help alleviate menopausal symptoms.
If menopausal symptoms are more severe, a prescription for hormones from a doctor is usually essential. After weighing the individual benefits and risks, the doctor will decide which hormones (estrogens, progestins, androgens) are appropriate.
At our pharmacy, we can offer you a wide variety of natural products, as well as hormonal medications available by doctor’s prescription. Stop by—we’d be happy to advise you.