What to expect in the change of life

It’s a time when women enter into a new stage in life and experience changes that can seem uncertain or even uncomfortable.

A top priority for women embarking on menopause is to become educated on the symptoms, treatments and changes to be expected, and to be informed when visiting with a primary care physician.

The Office on Women’s Health, an extension of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers a number of resources for understanding menopause and its symptoms. For starters, knowing that menopause is typically a natural occurrence – meaning it happens naturally on its own – is important for those who might be concerned with its unusual symptoms. When a woman’s menstrual period stops and the ovaries cease to produce hormones, menopause has set in. Some indicators will begin to present themselves, however, during the transition period, called perimenopause.

During the perimenopause stage, periods can become sporadic – stopping for a period of time and then starting again. The true test of menopause due to the lack of periods is when a woman has gone without a menstrual cycle for at least one year, and that it isn’t due to an illness.

During this transitional time, the estrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin to change and will lead to what most commonly think of when they imagine menopause – hot flashes.

The North American Menopause Society states hot flashes, also sometimes referred to as a hot flush, are thought to be related to changes in the hypothalamus, which controls the body’s temperature. Blood vessels near the skin will enlarge to allow more blood flow which can produce a red or flushed appearance. Some women may also begin to sweat and have an increased pulse rate, possibly followed by a cold chill. Hot flashes typically stop on their own but can be treated if they are severe enough that they interfere with daily life. They can be treated with a variety of methods including lifestyle changes, nonprescription remedies and prescription therapies. The only therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat hot flashes is systemic estrogen therapy.

The perimenopause stage can last anywhere from two to eight years, and can vary on a case-by-case basis. The OWH states your doctor may be able to test your hormone levels to determine if you have entered the perimenopause period, but that unless it’s medically necessary they suggest avoiding it. The determination may have to be made simply by presenting symptoms, a physical exam and medical history.

The symptoms of menopause may vary. Every woman’s experience with the new life stage is different and some may even transition with no symptoms at all, while others may have a variety of issues. In addition to hot flashes and irregular periods – which may include spotting, heavier or lighter menstrual flows – symptoms can involve troubled sleep, vaginal and urinary problems, mood changes, changing feelings about sex, osteoporosis and other issues. The OWH states it can be hard to tell whether some of these symptoms are due to menopause or if they’re related to aging – or both.

The declining levels of estrogen during menopause can lead to the vaginal and urinary symptoms. Estrogen helps protect the bladder and urethra, and the low levels can lead to more urinary tract infections. It can also lead to the walls of the vagina to become drier and thinner, and causing sex to be uncomfortable.

The low estrogen levels and other bodily changes that occur during menopause put a woman at risk for developing other health issues such as heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. In order to maintain good health during this new stage, the same life rules apply – eat well and be active. Having the proper nutrients and calories in a balanced diet will benefit a woman’s body as it ages, especially when it comes to bone health and calcium. Exercising and being physically active is important for both the body and mind. It can help in building muscle strength while benefiting mood as well.

Focusing on overall health will prove to be the most useful action when embarking on menopause. Some specific suggestions by the Office on Women’s Health are to stay on top of gynecological health with pelvic exams and Pap smears. Some women, depending on medical history, may need annual exams while others may only need them every three years. Visiting your primary care physician for other health screenings is also a main factor in maintaining overall health and preparing for menopause.

–Katie Ho

Read more information

To download a symptom tracker sheet and learn more about menopause symptoms and treatment, visit www.womenshealth.gov.