Menopause
Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. It is the time in a woman’s life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. The hormones also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogens further protect the bones.
Perimenopause
Menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process. This so-called perimenopausal transition is a different experience for each woman. The average age of menopause is 51 years old, but menopause may occur as early as the 30s or as late as the 60s. There is no reliable lab test to predict when a woman will experience menopause.
Symptoms/Complications of Menopause
Symptoms of menopause can include the following:
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Hot Flashes / Night Sweats
- Vaginal and Urinary Symptoms
- Mood Changes / Other Symptoms
Complications that women may develop after menopause include osteoporosis and heart disease.
Each woman’s experience is highly individual. Some women may experience few or no symptoms of menopause, while others experience multiple physical symptoms. The extent and severity of symptoms vary significantly among women. It is also important to remember that symptoms may come and go over an extended period of time.
Vaginal Bleeding
Symptoms may include irregular vaginal bleeding, as well as unpredictable excessive bleeding. Menstrual periods may occur more frequently, or they may get further and further apart before stopping. There is no “normal” pattern of bleeding during the perimenopause, and patterns vary from woman to woman.
Hot Flashes / Night Sweats
Hot flashes are common in women undergoing menopause. Hot flashes usually last from 30 seconds to several minutes. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, hot flashes are likely due to a combination of hormonal and biochemical fluctuations brought on by declining estrogen levels. The average woman can have hot flashes anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
Sometimes hot flashes are accompanied by night sweats. This may lead to awakening and difficulty falling asleep again, resulting in unrefreshing sleep and daytime tiredness.
Vaginal and Urinary Symptoms
Vaginal symptoms occur when the lining tissues of the vagina become thinner, dryer, and less elastic as estrogen levels fall. Symptoms may include vaginal dryness, itching, irritation and/or pain with sexual intercourse. Vaginal changes also can lead to increased risk of vaginal infections.
The lining of the urethra also undergoes similar changes, and this can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infection, a need to urinate more frequently, or urinary incontinence.
Mood Changes / Other Symptoms
Women in perimenopause often report a variety of cognitive or emotional symptoms including
fatigue, memory problems, irritability, and rapid changes in mood.
Many women report some degree of weight gain along with menopause. The distribution of
body fat may change, with body fat deposited more in the waist and abdomen versus hips
and thighs.
Changes in skin texture, including wrinkles, may develop along with worsening of adult acne in
those affected by this condition.
Since the body continues to produce small levels of the male hormone testosterone, some
women may experience some hair growth on the chin, upper lip, chest or abdomen.
Treatment
Many of the symptoms of menopause and the medical complications that may develop in post-menopausal women can be lessened or even avoided by taking steps to lead a healthy lifestyle including exercise, diet, and hormone replacement.
Dr. Carstensen customizes palliative treatments for menopause which are directed towards alleviating uncomfortable or distressing symptoms.
