Menopause is the time when a woman stops having her periods. It can be caused by the gradual decline of ovarian function or by the complete absence of periods. Menopause Lake Mary is not a disease but a change in the body’s normal reproductive cycle that affects millions of women yearly.
The average age for menopause is 51-52 years. In the United States, about 20% of women will experience it before age 45 and nearly 80% before age 60.
Menopausal symptoms
Hot flashes: Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause. During hot flashes, you may feel a sudden surge of heat throughout your body. The sensation is often described as an intense wave of heat that moves from your head to your feet. The symptoms can last from just a few seconds to minutes and up to 30 minutes.
Vaginal dryness: Vaginal dryness (dyspareunia) is a common symptom during menopause. Vaginal dryness occurs when there is a decrease in lubrication at the entrance to the vagina, making it more difficult for women to insert tampons or have sex. Sometimes, this can lead to painful intercourse or even urinary incontinence (when you leak urine while having sex).
Anxiety and irritability: Anxiety is common during menopause, but it can be especially intense for some women. You may worry about everything from your memory to your social life.
Irritability is also more common during menopause, especially if you have hot flashes or night sweats. You may get angry quickly and feel like everyone is conspiring against you.
Mood swings: During menopause, you may experience mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere. You may have a few good days followed by several bad ones, or vice versa. These mood changes are common for many women after menopause begins. But they can be more noticeable than usual because they last longer than normal mood changes caused by stress or depression.
How to relieve menopausal symptoms
Eating a balanced diet can help relieve many menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and other physical symptoms. A healthy diet should include lean protein sources, low-fat dairy products, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
Exercise daily: Regular exercise is an integral part of managing menopause symptoms. If you have hot flashes, try cardiovascular workouts that don’t require heavy sweating or long periods of sitting on the floor. You also may want to consider taking a class or joining a gym with a pool or jacuzzi.
Sleep well at night: One of the most common side effects of menopause is sleep disruption due to night sweats or other changes in sleep patterns. Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night and avoid caffeine after 4pm, which can interfere with this restorative process.
Take hormone replacement therapy: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which includes estrogen and progesterone, can relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms for some women who experience them regularly throughout the day or year long cycle.
Menopause is the end of the menstrual cycle, characterized by the shedding of one’s uterine lining (endometrium), which is shed during ovulation and fertilization each month. The lining then reabsorbs during menstruation and ceases to be shed during a woman’s reproductive life. In addition, as a result of hormonal changes during this time, many women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and urinary incontinence that last episodically after menopause until they resolve naturally or with hormone therapy treatment. If you are battling menopause symptoms, Christopher K Quinsey, MD, can help.
