Symptoms of Menopause: An Examination of Thirty-Four Indications
Menopause, a natural transition in a woman's life, can bring about a variety of physical and emotional changes. Here's a guide to understanding these changes and the available treatment options.
Allergies can worsen or new ones may appear during menopause due to spikes in histamine. This is one of the many ways hormonal fluctuations can affect the body. Menopause can also impact memory, potentially due to lower estrogen levels or compromised sleep. Anxiety can occur during menopause and may worsen at night or only occur intermittently as hormone levels fluctuate.
If experiencing new or unexplained symptoms, or if menopause symptoms are causing distress or disruption to one's life, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. A decline in estrogen during menopause can lead to difficulty concentrating or mental fogginess. Brittle nails can occur during or after menopause due to a lack of keratin in the body. Some people may experience an irregular heartbeat or palpitations during or after menopause.
Managing menopausal symptoms involves a personalized approach. Common treatment options include Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces hormones that decline during menopause. MHT is generally considered safe for women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset without contraindications.
Types of hormone therapies include estrogen alone (for women without a uterus), combined estrogen and progestin therapy (for women with an intact uterus to reduce the risk of uterine cancer), tibolone, a synthetic steroid with estrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic effects, and oestrogen combined with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like bazedoxifene.
Non-hormonal prescription medications, including low-dose antidepressants and other targeted drugs, can reduce hot flashes, especially for women who cannot take hormones. Vaginal treatments such as creams, tablets, and rings help relieve vaginal and urinary symptoms related to menopausal atrophy.
Complementary therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupuncture might provide symptom relief for some women. Lifestyle and integrative approaches also play a role in symptom management, although details in the search were limited.
Weight gain can occur during menopause due to a decline in estrogen, lower amounts of physical activity, or mood changes leading to changes in eating habits. During perimenopause, a decline in estrogen can result in a loss of bone density, potentially leading to osteoporosis. Dizziness can occur during menopause, although the exact cause is not known. A 2018 study suggests a connection with anxiety.
During menopause, hair loss or thinning can occur due to ovarian hormonal fluctuations. Sleep disturbance during menopause can manifest as lighter sleep, frequent waking due to night sweats, waking up earlier, or difficulty getting to sleep. In some cases, individuals may experience panic attacks during menopause.
Irritability can occur during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations or the effect of other menopause symptoms, stress, or a lack of sleep. Menopause can cause increased itchiness or dryness, typically around the vulva, but may also occur elsewhere. Tinnitus, a symptom involving hearing a sound with no external cause, can occur during menopause and may be due to hormonal changes.
Stress incontinence, or a frequent or sudden urge to urinate, can occur during menopause due to changes in hormone levels causing the bladder and pelvic muscles to become weaker. Depression can be triggered by hormonal imbalances during menopause.
In summary, managing menopausal symptoms involves a personalized approach including options from hormone therapies (MHT/HRT), non-hormonal medications, vaginal treatments, and supportive therapies like CBT and acupuncture, with choice guided by symptom severity and individual health risks. It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.
- Menopause can bring about physical changes like hair loss or thinning due to ovarian hormonal fluctuations.
- New allergies may appear during menopause as a result of spikes in histamine caused by hormonal fluctuations.
- Memory loss can occur during menopause due to lower estrogen levels or compromised sleep.
- Anxiety can occur during menopause, potentially worsening at night or only occurring intermittently due to hormone level fluctuations.
- Depression can be triggered by hormonal imbalances during menopause.
- Non-hormonal prescription medications can reduce hot flashes, especially for women who cannot take hormones.
- Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can occur during menopause, highlighting the importance of seeking help from a mental-health professional.
- Vaginal treatments like creams, tablets, and rings can help relieve vaginal and urinary symptoms related to menopausal atrophy.
- Complementary therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupuncture might provide symptom relief for some women during menopause.
