Did you know that menopause can start as early as 45 (sooner for some) and in 80% of women, can last on average about 7 to 10 years? Menopause affects many and can have an array of symptoms.
Some common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes and night sweats. These are what we call vasomotor symptoms. “There are also other symptoms that you may not attribute to menopause that include difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood swings, irritability, mild joint aches and pains, vaginal dryness, painful sex, decreased sex drive or libido, and weight gain or changes in weight distribution,” Rachel Swartz, MD, Northern Light OB/GYN in Presque Isle, shares.
While these symptoms can be difficult to deal with, Dr. Swartz says that there are several treatment options to help make menopause easier, such as:
- modifying environmental factors like dressing in layers, keeping a personal fan with you
- eating a plant-based, low-fat diet
- taking certain non-hormonal medications
- using behavioral therapy techniques such as clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
For vaginal dryness, there are several lubricants available over the counter that can be used, especially those that have a moisture-balance formula. Hyaluronic acid can also be used and purchased online without a prescription. Prescription vaginal estrogen preparations are very helpful and have virtually no associated risks.
Dr. Swartz says there are also several types of systemic hormone therapies that can be used to help treat menopause. “There are some hormonal therapies such as estrogen that can be used to help with menopause. Hormone therapy can help decrease symptoms and has been proven that it can treat osteoporosis (bone thinning) and lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzhemier’s disease/dementia. But timing is crucial, this therapy needs to be used within 10 years of menopause or before the age of 60.,” she says. “Some common side effects of hormone therapy include breast tenderness, nausea, irregular bleeding, spotting, or more serious side effects such as strokes, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolisms,” says Dr. Swartz.
While there are a variety of supplements and hormonal preparations available over the counter to help with menopause, Dr. Swartz warns that many are not tested for safety and effectiveness. This means that the active ingredients are not guaranteed to be absorbed completely and/or that they will even work. So, it's risky to take as they are non-FDA approved. But the most important piece of advice Dr. Swartz gives is to do your research. “If you use the internet, read information from reputable scientific and medical sources. The Menopause Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) are highly-researched and up-to-date sources. Please also talk with your provider about treatment options and what is available for you as well as the potential risks.”
To learn more about menopause and options available to you, visit Women’s Health Services for Every Stage of Life - Northern Light Health