Menopause happens to all women, but it’s a topic that doesn’t get talked about much. Valerie Stratton, MD, from the MercyOne Comfort Health Center for Women and North American Menopause Society explains everything you need to know about going through menopause.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural life event all women go through at a certain age range. Defined as the final menstrual period, menopause is usually confirmed when a woman has missed her period for 12 consecutive months with no other obvious causes. Menopause results in lower levels of estrogen and other hormones.
Most women experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 58, with the average age being 51.
However, there is a transitional phase called perimenopause, which may last for several years before a woman is officially in menopause.
Symptoms of menopause
Because everyone is different, how each woman experiences menopause is different. Some women will not experience any significant menopause symptoms, other than irregular periods that stop when you reach menopause.
Other women may experience a variety of symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Most women who experience menopause symptoms manage symptoms for 5-7 years.
“Many women think they must suffer through the symptoms of menopause, but there are many treatment options available, both hormonal and non-hormonal,” says Dr. Stratton. “Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms and the severity, in order to find the right fit for you.”
Managing menopause
Maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better while boosting your overall health and well-being during menopause. For those who experience menopause symptoms, treatments and support are available. It’s important to talk to your provider about your symptoms and severity to find the right fit for you.
Before you start any treatments, you need to know your cardiovascular health and breast cancer risk.
“If your individual risk levels for breast cancer or heart disease are higher than normal, non-hormonal therapy options may be best,” says Dr. Stratton. “If you are at low risk for stroke or breast cancer, hormonal therapies become an option.”
HRT is an effective treatment to control moderate to severe menopausal symptoms:
- Within 10 years of menopause.
- Before the age of 60.
The goal is to use the lowest effective dose to treat the bothersome symptoms and get you back to living your best life.
Non-hormonal treatments are also available, including:
- Lifestyle changes.
- Medications.
- Supplements.
Menopause is a natural and normal part of aging, yet there’s a lot of misinformation. Talk with your primary care provider about menopause and any concerns you have about your changing body.
