From HRT to libido – here are some questions about menopause that all women should be asking
How will I know when my menopause begins?
Dr Louise Newson (menopausedoctor.co.uk) admits that despite being a menopause specialist, she didn’t recognise her own symptoms for months.
“I was tired, irritable, down, forgetful, unmotivated and my migraines were getting worse,” she says.
“My joints ached and I was sleeping terribly. I just put it down to working too hard.”
Many women tell similar stories of symptoms they had chalked up to other things, such as ageing, stress and overwork. Only in retrospect do they realise they were probably perimenopausal.
Common signs of perimenopause (the time leading up to the menopause) tend to be periods becoming increasingly erratic – lighter or heavier, more frequent or widespread and generally more irregular until they stop completely.
Feeling uncharacteristically anxious and finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate and remember stuff can also be key signs.
You can only really diagnose yourself as being postmenopausal retrospectively – by looking back and realising you have gone a full 12 months without a period – the official definition of menopause.
The average age of this happening is 51-52 but it can occur any time between the ages of 45 and 55.
Statistically, around a quarter of women sail through menopause with no or few symptoms. The majority don’t have such an easy time.
I know about hot flushes and night sweats, but what else should I be looking out for?
They are caused by diminishing levels of the hormone oestrogen, but there are many more symptoms, including insomnia, tiredness, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive.
What tends to blindside women more are the psychological changes, such as anxiety, paranoia, and loss of confidence and identity.
There are many other lesser-known symptoms, including an increased risk of gum disease, indigestion and/or acid reflux, heart palpitations, itchy skin, facial hair, and drier skin, hair, eyes and nails.
Migraine sufferers may find the problem gets worse.
Oestrogen also has a protective effect on cardiovascular and bone health, so declining levels can put you more at risk of heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.
This is why looking after your health becomes more important than ever.
How do I know if I need HRT?
The government’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Menopause Society (thebms.org.uk) say it is the most effective treatment available.
If your symptoms are mild and you are managing them with lifestyle changes, such as diet and supplements, you possibly don’t need it.
Some women are unsure about taking HRT after a series of large studies in the early 2000s linked it to an increased risk of stroke, breast and endometrial cancer, and gallbladder problems.
These findings have largely been discredited and the consensus is that HRT is not only statistically the most successful treatment for reducing hot flushes, but it also appears to help improve mood, sleep, muscle and joint pain, vaginal dryness and libido.
The NHS says HRT may not be suitable if you have a family and/or personal history of breast cancer, womb or ovarian cancer, a history of blood clots, high blood pressure or liver disease.
Can herbal supplements reduce my symptoms?
Many women say they help, although the scientific evidence is mixed. In a number of small clinical studies, women who took sage supplements were found to have a lower incidence of hot flushes and they were less severe if they did occur. Try A.Vogel Menoforce sage tablets, £13.99 (avogel.co.uk).
Black cohosh is another popular choice, while soya isoflavones, a type of plant oestrogen, have been shown to help reduce hot flushes and night sweats. Try Healthspan MenoSerene (£17.99, healthspan.co.uk ) containing plant oestrogens such as soy, isoflavones, flaxseed and sage.
In a clinical trial, Potter’s Herbals Memory & Focus Capsules (£14.75, amazon.com) have been found to improve working memory five-fold.
Article taken in part from www.msn.com
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All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.