Menopause
A time when a woman’s menstruation stops and her natural hormones decline.
Hormone Imbalance
Menopause is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in a woman’s 40s or 50s – in the UK the average age is 51. Some women may even experience premature menopause before the age of 40.
Menopause Symptoms
Symptoms of the menopause include irritability, hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, breast tenderness, inability to sleep, irritable bowel, depression, migraines, paranoia, vaginal changes, weight gain, low libido and painful, heavy or irregular periods.
These symptoms can differ in severity and are different for every woman. This is partly due to the shift in balance between oestrogen and progesterone with oestrogen becoming more dominant. Oestrogen dominance starts earlier when there is more stress, influencing quality of life in a negative way. By supporting the body with progesterone as well as oestrogen and correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies, these symptoms can be improved.
Managing the Menopause
There are many effective treatments available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy. Treatments mainly focus on relieving the signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur with ageing.
Our GPs will be able to talk through available options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Patients will be advised to review options regularly, as needs and treatment options may change.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes. Depending on a person’s medical history, a low dose of estrogen within a short time frame may be recommended. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. Long-term use of hormone therapy may have some cardiovascular and breast cancer risks, but starting hormones around the time of menopause has shown benefits for some women.
Vaginal Estrogen
To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered directly to the vagina using a vaginal cream, tablet or ring. This treatment releases just a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissues. It can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and some urinary symptoms. Call us for a confidential chat if you would like to find out more.
Low-dose Antidepressants
Certain antidepressants related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may decrease menopausal hot flashes. A low-dose antidepressant for management of hot flashes may be useful for women who are unable to take estrogen for health reasons or for women who need an antidepressant for a mood disorder. Contact us for further information.