Menopause- Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What would happen if you were diagnosed with menopause? Fear may strike greatly upon women as they hear the term menopause. As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that regulate menstruation — and your fertility declines. In your 40s, your menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually — on average, by age 51 — you have no more periods. Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. It can be described as any of the changes a woman goes through either just before or after she stops menstruating, which is the marking of an end for her reproductive period.

What Causes Menopause?

A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also create the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Menopause is considered a normal part of aging when it happens after the age of 40. However, some women can go through menopause early, either as a result of surgery, such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. When menopause occurs before the age of 40, regardless of the cause, it is called premature menopause.

Symptoms of Menopause

The symptoms that women experience are primarily related to a lowered production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause symptoms vary widely because of the many effects that these hormones have on the female body. The most common symptoms are irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulties, and irritability.

Your period may not be as regular as it used to be. You may bleed heavier or lighter than usual, and occasionally spot. Also, your period may be shorter or longer in duration. If you do miss your period, make sure to rule out pregnancy. If you’re not pregnant, a missed period could indicate the onset of menopause.

Many women complain of hot flashes as a primary menopause symptom. Hot flashes can be a sudden feeling of heat either in the upper portion of your body or all over. Your face and neck might turn red, and you may feel sweaty or flushed. The intensity of a hot flash can range from mild to very strong. A hot flash generally lasts between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. Most women experience hot flashes for a year or two after their final menstrual period. Hot flashes may still continue after menopause, but they lessen in intensity over time.

It’s common to feel less interested in sex during menopause as well as having less control of their bladder. This is a menopause issue caused by physical changes brought on by reduced estrogen.

Changes in hormone production affect the moods of women during menopause. Some women report feelings of irritability, depression, mood swings, and often go from extreme highs to severe lows in a short period of time which is totally normal.

Treatments for Menopause

There are a number of different treatment options to consider if you're suffering from symptoms of menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

After menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed to resupply the body with the hormones it no longer produces. HRT uses female hormones, estrogen and progesterone and is used to treat common symptoms of menopause and aging. Doctors can prescribe it during or after menopause.

Alternative Treatments

Supplements, herbs and botanicals like black cohosh, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed are thought to relieve menopausal symptoms. The question is are they safe? What are the warning signs a product may not be legitimate? It is best to ask your doctor if you choose to take this route for treating menopause.

Natural Treatments

Learn about herbs, supplements, and other natural remedies that some believe help with menopause symptoms.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh, also known as black snakeroot or bugbane, is a medicinal root. It is used to treat women's hormone-related symptoms, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms.

Soy for Menopause Symptoms

Soy is high in isoflavones. Isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are chemicals found in plants that work like estrogens.

Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams

Wild yam and progesterone creams are available without a prescription and are marketed for relieving perimenopausal symptoms caused by "estrogen dominance."

There’s no need for women to suffer through the frustrating symptoms of perimenopause and menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and low libido. Our San Antonio gynecologists will work with you to find the right treatment plan that reduces or eliminates your symptoms and allows you to feel like yourself again.

Your treatment options may include hormone replacement therapy and medication. Call us at (210)-349-9300 to schedule an appointment and start feeling better.