What are the Symptoms of Menopause? What are the Treatment Options?
Menopause is something that every woman goes through at some point in their life. It is a transition period in which changes happens to the woman’s body where hormones change as well as the body. Symptoms of menopause can begin when a woman is in her forty’s but generally begins when a woman is in her fifties. The transition period can last anywhere between seven and fourteen years and in that time a woman will go through various menopause symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Here we will discuss the menopause age as well as some menopause symptoms that occur throughout a woman’s menopause transition.
What age do menopause symptoms begin? Click here to learn more.
Menopause in short is when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends, no longer making estrogen, no longer fertile and is something that happens naturally. Continue reading to hear more about menopause symptoms and signs.
Symptoms of Menopause
The normal menopause age is around age 51 but that doesn’t mean that it can’t start before, or even after. Each personal menopause age will depend on genetics. Symptoms of menopause may be noticed when it first begins, but it could also take a few months to understand the signs. The first sign of menopause that can be noticed is having an irregular period and stays irregular. As stated before, it may take a few months to catch the irregularities but if an individual is around the age of fifty and having irregular periods, it could be menopause.
It’s important that a doctor is notified when symptoms of menopause begin just to have everything checked out. Once menopause begins, there are certain symptoms that may also be noticed and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of menopause include the following:
- Hot flashes
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood swings
- Lower sex drive
- Racing heart
- Painful sex
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal soreness
Menopause Treatment
Although not one treatment works for everyone, there are various types of menopause treatment out there. The most common menopause symptoms treatment is a change in lifestyle. This isn’t an easy thing because by age fifty, most people are set in their ways. What a lifestyle change means is that if you are a smoker, stopping is important. The same thing goes for if you don’t exercise, following an exercise plan as well as a healthy diet can help treat symptoms. Wearing layers and light clothing can help with hot flashes as well as avoiding caffeine and spicy food.
When it comes to hot flashes, a doctor may prescribe medication to help with them. Medication can come in various forms and could be hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy. These types of therapy can help with not only hot flashes but also night sweats. There are many warnings for hormone therapy, especially if there is a history of certain types of cancer. Hormone treatment isn’t for everyone but if other medication is needed, other possibilities can include, antidepressants, blood pressure medication and anti -seizure medications.
There are also natural menopause treatment options and although they aren’t proven treatments, not one person is alike. That means that certain treatments may work for some people and others not. Natural types of treatment can include acupuncture, meditation and relaxation techniques. These types of treatment cannot harm the body and could be good practices for overall wellbeing. Other possible natural treatments can include herbal remedies. There are also over the counter medications that can be purchased to help with sleeping.
For the women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause, speaking to a doctor about the various treatments and possibilities is a good idea before trying them to make sure that nothing harmful is done or taken.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/menopause-information#1