Understanding Your Menopause

Menopause can occur at any age. Some women can experience premature menopause in their twenties or thirties, while some other women, like my aunt will have their periods until the reach their sixties. Me, I my menopause was surgically induced. By this I mean that by getting a hysterectomy for excessive uterine bleeding, my ovaries were also removed. I chose to have my ovaries removed as a part of the surgery since my family was already complete and I was not planning on having more children. I was at the age that I was entering peri-menopause anyway.

When trying to understand menopause, it is important to note that the ovaries are an important source of estrogen. As the ovary ages, or in my case, as they are removed, they can no longer produce estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone that keeps our skin supple, aids in keeping our bones strong, protects our hearts to a certain extent, provides vaginal lubrication and can aid in body temperature. Estrogen is a very important component in the severity and frequency of hot flashes, the hallmark symptom of impending menopause.

There is much you can do in surviving menopause and understanding menopause. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. HRT can greatly reduce, if not eliminate the disruptive hot flashes that are sure to grace your doorstep as you approach menopause. Hormone replace therapy is not without side effects and adverse reactions. Side effects can include, but are not limited to blood clots, heart disease, cancer of the breast and uterus, heavy vaginal bleeding, headaches, alteration in blood pressure, blood clots and stroke. Of course, most women who take hormone replacement therapy will never experience these adverse effects when treating their menopausal symptoms. Your doctor will monitor your general health while you are receiving hormonal treatment.

Many doctors will advise against the use of hormones in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, but may wish to prescribe them for you if your symptoms of menopause are disruptive to your day to day living. An alternative to hormone replacement therapy is the use of herbal supplements such as soy and black cohosh. Again herbal supplements can produce side effects as well.

Mood swings can also be an unwelcome visitor during your menopause. Your doctor may prescribe medication such as antidepressants which not only help with depression and mood swings, but new research is emerging that antidepressant medication can ease hot flashes due to menopause. Antidepressant might be a preferred alternative to hormone replacement therapy in women who have had breast cancer or who are unable to take hormones for other reasons.

In surviving your menopause, exercise is also very important. Even though you may feel tired and have no energy, a mild exercise routine might help in regulating your moods and assist with insomnia, which is another disturbing feature of menopause. Most episodes of insomnia are due to hot flashes. Exercise can assist in the reduction of hot flashes as well by easing anxiety, which in itself is a risk factor for hot flashes.

Loss of bone mass is a very detrimental effect of menopause. Osteoporosis can result in severe injury and hip fractures. Exercise and a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement can help. You doctor may choose to prescribe one of the newer medications on the market for osteoporosis such as Fosamax.

You can and will survive menopause. Take solace in the fact that every woman goes through it. There are many things you can do to alleviated the symptoms of menopause. A good doctor - patient relationship is important is dealing with menopause. Your doctor can devise a menopausal treatment plan that is right for you.

Sources - Pat Wingert and Barbara Kantrowitz from the book "Is it hot in here? Or is it me?"