From the ages of 45-55, the ovaries stop producing eggs, estrogen levels drop, and the woman starts to notice inconsistencies in her menstrual cycle. A woman can make adjustments in her lifestyle in order to manage the symptoms, such as hormonal therapies, a nutritious diet, and regular mental and physical exercises. The phase is not sudden; it happens after a perimenopause, when hormones like estrogen and progesterone start to go out of control. As you read this blog you will get to know the symptoms and how to manage menopause.
Signs of menopause
- Hot flashes: A sudden feeling of feverish heat.
- Night sweats: These are episodes of excessive sweating while sleeping.
- Moodswings: These are sudden emotional shifts.
- Weight gain: Due to hormonal shifts, the woman starts to experience weight gain.
- Vaginal dryness: caused by low estrogen, leading to painful sex or low sexual drive.
- Trouble sleeping: The lack of sleep is due to anxiety or stress that comes with menopause.
- Brain Fog: This is mental fuzziness and memory lapses.
What is the role of estrogen and progesterone?
- Estrogen
Reproductive Health: Estrogen helps to develop the female reproductive tract, such as the uterus, vagina and fallopian tubes.
Menstrual cycle: It helps promote growth and the uterine lining after menstruation.
Pregnancy: It prepares the uterus for pregnancy and works with progesterone during pregnancy.
- Progesterone
Uterine preparation: Thickens the uterine lining, making it rich in blood vessels and nutrients for potential implantation.
Pregnancy support: Maintains the uterine lining, prevents it from shedding and supports early pregnancy.
Menstrual cycle regulation: The levels of progesterone drop during menstruation to prevent the lining from thickening.
How can I manage menopause?
- Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT)
This therapy involves supplementing the body with estrogen and progesterone, which helps in eliminating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood disorders and bone loss.
- Non-Hormonal medications
If you are not interested in going for Hormonal replacement therapy, then you can also opt for SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as paroxetine, and you can also go for Gabapentin and Clonidine, which can also help with stopping menopause symptoms.
- Consume nutritious food
Nutritious food is paramount in managing menopause. Since menopause tends to tamper with body weight, it’s important to start making adjustments to one’s diet to manage the weight. Ensure to incorporate nutrients such as:-
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Omega 3
- Phytoestrogens
Start Regular Exercises and practice healthy mental activities
Ensure to incorporate regular exercises such as jogging, walking, dancing and light strength training to help manage bone density, manage weight gain, boost metabolism and promote sleep. Ensure to manage stress by indulging in activities that calm your mind, such as meditation and affirmations, and also indulging in activities that light up your mood. You can go for pilates and yoga, which greatly help with both your mental and physical wellness. If you sense that the activities are not helping your mental health, you can also go for therapy.
Conclusion
If you are in your 40s and you start to sense these symptoms, know that it is a natural condition that women go through, so do not be shy to talk about it to your partner in order to navigate intimacy and your relationship. Book an appointment with a gynaecologist who would be in the best position to guide you through this new phase of your life and help you navigate through it. Dr. Shuchita Batra and her team at Ameritus Hospital can help you deal with menopause, and you won’t feel alone in this journey. We have been helping women with check-ups, consultations and therapies to manage menopause.
FAQ’s
- What are the symptoms of Menopause?
The symptoms of Menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vagina dryness and the most common of all is going 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
- What can I do to manage Menopause?
There are a number of things you can do to manage and treat Menopause, such as starting hormonal replacement therapies, and if you are not interested in hormonal replacement therapies, you can go for SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as paroxetine. Adjust your diet to manage the weight gain that comes during Menopause and indulge in regular exercises and activities that help you manage stress.
- What are the main stages of Menopause?
The first stage, which occurs before Menopause, is called Premenopause, when the woman starts to experience irregular menstruation and fluctuation of hormones. Then the second stage is Menopause, where the woman does not experience menstruation for 12 consecutive months. The last stage after Menopause is called post menopause.
