It’s a well-known fact that women’s reproductive hormones enter into a natural decline as they typically reach their 40s and 50s. About one year after a woman’s last menstrual period, she is considered to have reached the life stage of menopause. However, when most people refer to menopause, they refer to menopausal transition.
Known formally as perimenopause, this is a stage that a woman goes through in the years preceding the point where she reaches menopause. During this time, many changes will happen to her monthly cycle as well as other bodily symptoms. In most cases, women will experience the phase of menopausal transition for between 7 and 14 years.
If you are dealing with the following symptoms and need additional information about menopausal care, read further.
Menopause Symptoms
It’s important to note that each woman experiences menopausal transition differently. The body’s estrogen production is known to decrease during this time, which can end up causing a variety of symptoms that can vary in their degree of discomfort. If you start to experience any of the symptoms below, it may be time to talk to our Gynecology team.
Hot Flashes
Probably one of the most well-known symptoms associated with menopause is having hot flashes. This is defined as a sudden onset of heat in the upper part of the body. Some women may experience red blotches on their face, neck, back, chest, and even arms. Heavy sweating followed by cold shivering isn’t uncommon. These hot flashes will typically last anywhere between 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Their frequency can vary greatly, ranging from several times an hour to twice a week.
Period Changes
For most women, the first sign that they’re going through their menopausal transition is a change in their periods. They’ll no longer be regular. Some women may experience shorter or even longer periods. They may bleed more or less than usual.
Incontinence
Incontinence happens when you lose control of your bladder. Some women may experience urine leakage when they’re physically exerting themselves, laughing, or even sneezing. Others may experience a sudden urge to urinate out of the blue.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
While menopause in itself cannot be reversed, hormone replacement therapy can be an option for dealing with its unfavorable symptoms. Hormone therapy involves taking low doses of estrogen and potentially progestin. This type of therapy has been shown to help reduce menopausal hot flashes in women who seek out this treatment when they begin to experience their menopausal transition. Estrogen is also known to relieve some urinary symptoms and vaginal dryness that can cause discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Menopause
Menopause management doesn’t have to be overly difficult when you understand these helpful lifestyle tips.
With hot flashes being one of the most annoying symptoms of menopause, it only makes sense to start there. Many times, hot flashes will have a known trigger. This could be caffeine, stress, hot weather, alcohol, or even spicy foods. Taking the time to note what you were doing when your hot flash came on is a great way to help identify your triggers. Then, you can work to avoid them.
Postmenopausal health can benefit greatly from relaxation techniques. These include things like deep breathing, massage therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, paced breathing, and even guided imagery. When you’re more relaxed, it’s easier to deal with the oncoming symptoms of menopause.
We’re Ready to Help
North Carolina OB/GYN and Midwifery is here to guide you through this transition with personalized care and treatment options. Whether it’s discussing hormone replacement therapy, exploring lifestyle changes to manage symptoms, or simply needing someone to talk to, we’re here for you.
Don’t let menopause control your life – schedule a consultation and take the first step towards reclaiming your comfort and well-being.