What causes menopause symptoms?
Menopause is a natural process that women go through in their life. During menopause, hormonal changes take place, such as a decrease in estrogen, which can lead to symptoms. Common are hot flashes, trouble sleeping and fatigue, but these symptoms can vary from woman to woman. It is important to recognize the causes and symptoms of menopause so you can better cope with this phase of your life.
Typical menopausal symptoms are those directly related to hormonal fluctuations and changes during menopause.
Typical menopause symptoms are often the result of hormonal changes and can be relieved with the right treatment.
Non-typical menopausal symptoms are less common and may be influenced by other factors, but also occur in menopausal women.
It is important to know that non-typical menopause symptoms, such as joint pain or fatigue, can be caused by menopause and are treatable.
Women who are not on the pill will most certainly recognize the first menopause symptoms. Menstruation begins to change, first staying out longer and then becoming more irregular. Some women also experience hot flashes fairly soon. Sometimes a blood test is done to determine whether a woman is menopausal. However, this is inconclusive in most cases. Read more about blood tests and diagnosis here. The general practitioner will perform this test only if there is a clear reason for it (for example, in women who have symptoms extremely young). When taking medication for the first time, however, blood tests are necessary to check whether the estrogen level is set properly.
Those on the pill notice little of the menopause during the three weeks of taking it. The hormones make your body believe' that you are still in the fertile phase of life. That's different during the pill-free week. Then you are free of those hormones and your body automatically tells you how it is. If you are menopausal, you may experience the well-known menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or sweating, during this week, the pill-free week. Always refer this to your doctor. If it turns out that you are indeed menopausal, it does not make much sense to continue taking the pill for a very long time. After all, the pill is not suitable to treat menopause symptoms. It is better to stop taking it, or possibly choose hormone supplementation.
There is certainly a line to be drawn with your mother's menopause. If she was late, chances are you will be too; it is hereditary. The symptoms that may arise, on the other hand, are not hereditary. So if your mother suffered a lot of hot flashes, that doesn't mean you will too.
Yes. Because of the decrease in estrogen, little or no vaginal mucus is produced anymore. In addition, the outer cell layer of the skin becomes thinner. This also makes the skin feel drier. This can make intercourse painful. Vaginal tablets and creams improve the mucous membrane of the vagina. In addition, the hormones in the cream can prevent a bladder infection. This is because the vagina in menopausal women is more susceptible to infections, which can more easily lead to bladder infections.
About half of all women between the ages of 50 and 75 experience urinary problems. One of the most common complaints is a burning sensation when urinating. This is because the skin becomes drier and the outer cell layer thinner due to the decrease in estrogen. Hormone treatment with estrogens can remedy the complaint. Another well-known complaint is a constant feeling of urgency, requiring one to go to the bathroom as many as 45 times a day. An overactive bladder can be addressed at the physical therapist with exercise therapy (learning to better tighten the pelvic floor muscles), with electrostimulation or with a combination of both. Electrotherapy works with electrical stimuli through a vaginally inserted probe. The stimuli send signals to the nerve pathways that in turn inhibit the overactive bladder. One in four women experience slight leakage of urine when she has to laugh, lift something or cough. This is due to sagging pelvic floor muscles. This slackening is the result of one or more childbirths, as well as possible uterine surgery or fractures of the back, hip or pelvis. Exercise can help make the muscles stronger. A physical therapist can teach how to tighten the pelvic floor muscles as soon as you feel urges. The muscles help prevent urine from escaping the bladder. Another cause of urine leakage is a stretched bladder. A stretched bladder results from going too late to urinate too often. It simply overflows when there is sudden physical exertion or a sneeze, for example. In any case, what helps is good posture. Women with a bladder that is not well trained actually go to the bathroom too often again. The bladder empties too early and so gets used to small bits more and more. The bladder muscle contracts faster and faster and thus gets the signal earlier and earlier that you have to urinate. The latter problem can also be remedied with exercises aimed at different "urination behavior. Women who have been going through the menopause for some time become more susceptible to bladder infections. This complaint, too, can sometimes be remedied with hormone treatment.
Due to changing hormones, the so-called collagen, which plays a role in the elasticity of muscles and skin, gradually disappears. The skin becomes thinner, its elasticity decreases. Hair also becomes limp and thinner. Wrinkles deepen. Muscles shrink and bones become more fragile as calcium content decreases. By the way, aging is a natural process and is not only caused by menopause. Women are extra vulnerable now, though, and it makes sense to take good care of your body, including plenty of exercise and proper nutrition.
The menopause phase is an intense physical process that requires a lot of energy. Hot flashes, poor sleep and loss of concentration mean you may not feel top-fit. Moreover, most women are now in a turbulent age phase that is not directly related to menopause, but certainly has its influence. The children who may be present are in puberty or leaving home. Parents are getting older and sometimes need extra care. In some cases, divorce is also an issue. It is very heavy when there are 'family problems' to add to this. So this acedia is very explainable. It is good to realize that it is temporary. But in some cases it can last too long. Do not hesitate to seek help.
Yes, this is a fact. Estrogens offer protection against risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Probably the decrease of this hormone during menopause is the reason why women are more at risk of, for example, heart attack or cerebral hemorrhage. Over 40% of women over the age of 60 die from cardiovascular disease. Good nutrition, adequate exercise, low stress, good weight and cholesterol protect against cardiovascular disease. In women taking hormone therapy, mortality from cardiovascular disease is lower than in those going through menopause without this support. Healthy living improves blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Have your blood pressure measured and cholesterol determined annually, even if you have no symptoms.
Many menopausal women report that they feel less inclined to have sex. There is at least one physical reason for this: the vagina becomes drier and therefore making love can be painful. Fortunately, this complaint can be easily remedied with, for example, a vaginal cream (see question 4). Other reasons are mainly psychological. Some women have trouble with "getting older" and struggle with their physical attractiveness. We are no longer tight in our skin and have to learn to live with imperfections. This doesn't happen overnight. It is a process of acceptance that we may need help with. In any case, it helps to first talk about it with your partner and possibly consult female peers. Another reason is fatigue and lethargy (see also question 7). The menopause literally and figuratively requires a lot of energy. It is good to find a new balance in this: to listen better to the signals of your body and to take a break in time. The experience of sex can also change. Younger women often experience more pleasure from lust, older women more from intimacy. What you used to find pleasurable and exciting, you may now dislike. This change is quite normal, but it may cause a problem in your relationship with your partner. His expectations may remain the same and then he will not immediately understand when you prefer things to be different. So it makes a lot of sense to talk about this together. It certainly makes no sense to just carry on (against your will) and pretend. Nor to try to avoid making love. For many women, they need more time to get in the mood. There is a need for longer foreplay. It's nice if your partner has a good sense of that. By the way, even though the vagina becomes drier under the influence of hormones, this does not mean that becoming moist is no longer possible. With longer foreplay, this is indeed possible.
After starting hormone therapy in the form of pill, patch, spray or gel, a woman notices something after only a few days, most notice the real effect after 2-3 weeks. With a low dose, it is possible to increase the dosage after 3 weeks. After 3 months you will notice what the changes will be like with long-term use. For muscle and joint problems, you may notice some improvement after 3 months.
When using hormone therapy, irregular bleeding may occur for the first 3 to 6 months after starting. There is no need to call the gynecology outpatient clinic. You may watch if the blood loss decreases spontaneously. You do not adjust your medication. If the bleeding remains too heavy, you could try taking Utrogestan vaginally instead of swallowing it. If the bleeding is too bothersome or if it persists beyond 6 months, You should make an appointment with Your practitioner.
Many women experience tight and/or painful breasts or nipples when starting hormone therapy. Sometimes the volume of the breasts may also increase (slightly). This is often transient. The advice is to persevere, after 3 weeks improvement almost always occurs and the symptoms disappear completely.
Some women experience some rash. However, this happens very rarely and is usually transient in nature.
Some women experience slight weight gain after starting hormone therapy. However, this is also often not the case. Healthy lifestyle helps to rebalance your altered metabolism around menopause. Again, balance often develops after 3 months.
Hormone therapy can be effective against muscle and joint pain. For this, you must take the medication for a longer period of time; only after 3 months can you tell if the hormone therapy is relieving. The effect of hormone therapy on muscle and joint pain lasts longer than the effect on hot flashes and night sweats. You can take extra magnesium citrate, 1 x daily 2 tablets of 400 mg. Almost all side effects decrease after 3 months of hormone therapy. So keep it up.
Estrogens can be given as a pill (Femoston, Estradiol, Zumenon, Progynova) or as a patch (Systen, estradiol patch), gel (Estrogel) or spray (Lenzetto). All forms are safe. Depending on your preference, the doctor will give you the form that is best for you. If you have slightly more risk factors for thrombosis, the doctor is more likely to choose estrogen administration through the skin (patch, gel or spray). The doctor will see if progesterone should be prescribed with it.
Hormone patches are used twice a week. A new patch is applied every 3 to 4 days. You can leave the patch on while showering, exercising or swimming. When increasing the dosage or decreasing the dosage, maintain the frequency of twice-weekly application. You can halve the patches or you can add an extra half patch to the current dose. When starting therapy, it often takes 3 weeks before you notice a good effect. If increasing or decreasing the dosage has been discussed with you, do this gradually with several weeks in between. If you still have a uterus, the doctor will prescribe progesterone in the form of Utrogestan tablets (which is natural or bio identical progesterone), the Mirena IUD, or the hormone Duphaston (this is also very natural progesterone, also called dydrogesterone).
You apply this spray once a day to the inside of your forearm. You often start with 1 or 2 sprays as prescribed by the doctor. If you wish to increase or decrease, do so at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks. Multiple sprays should be applied side by side on the forearm. Each bottle contains 56 sprays, for which there is a tick chart on the package to keep track. To use, press the spray 2 times and it is ready to use. You can use a maximum of 3 sprays per day. If you still have a uterus, the doctor will prescribe progesterone in the form of Utrogestan (bio identical progesterone), a Mirena IUD or progesterone (Duphaston, also called dydrogesterone).
This estrogen gel is applied to bare skin once a day. You start with 1 pump, if necessary after 3 weeks you can apply 2 pumps once a day on the bare skin (inside underarms or inside thighs). If you still have a uterus, the doctor will prescribe progesterone. This through bio identical progesterone (Utrogestan), the Mirena IUD or tablets of natural progesterone (called dydrogesterone or Duphaston). REMEMBER- in the package insert it says that sometimes you have to interrupt the gel- THIS IS NOT NEEDED (manufacturer is in the process of changing this).
Progesterone administration will be explained to you by your doctor. If You have had Your last period less than six months ago, the doctor will advise You to use the Utrogestan or Duphaston for at least 12 days a month, 1 x daily 2 tablets (a 100 mg) of Utrogestan or 1x 1 tab (a 10 mg) of Duphaston before bedtime. This medication can be started on the 12th to 14th day after your period. After finishing the 12 days of progesterone, bleeding as menstruation will usually follow. You use the dose of estrogen continuously, i.e. daily. During the first 3-4 months you may have irregular bleeding. If irregular bleeding persists, contact your doctor. If you have not had a period for six months or more, the doctor will suggest continuous use of progesterone. Then you will use 1 tablet of Utrogestan (bio identical progesterone) or Duphaston (dydrogesterone) daily. With the Mirena IUD you do not need to take additional tablets, as it delivers progesterone locally to the uterus (sufficient for 3-5 years; as contraception sufficient for 8 yr).
This is hormone therapy in which each tablet contains estrogen and/or progesterone. Femoston 0.5/2.5 mg and Femoston 1/5 is prescribed if you no longer have menstruation. In principle, you will not have any bleeding (except possibly in the 1st 3 months after starting). You take 1 tablet of this medication every day. With Femoston 0.5/2.5 mg, if the menstrual symptoms do not improve sufficiently, you can take 2 tablets once a day after 3 weeks. Femoston 1/10 or 2/10 is given to women who are still menstruating or to women whose last menstruation was less than 6 months ago. Be sure to start on the package that has a 1 next to it. Half of the strip contains tablets with estrogen only, the 2nd half of the strip contains tablets with estrogen and progesterone. With this medication, there will be monthly bleeding. In the beginning, the bleeding may still be irregular (the first 3 months). You use this medication continuously, i.e. without a stop week. It is possible that after several months the bleeding will become less and less. Sometimes they even stay away. If so, please mention this when checking with your doctor, possibly the medication can be changed.
For the first few months, women may have somewhat tight breasts, experience some bloating, sometimes limited weight gain. This stabilizes over time. Headaches may also occur, this usually disappears as does the feeling of tight breasts within a few weeks/months. If patients are accustomed to the medication, they often benefit greatly.
This hormone pill contains bio identical hormones. I.e. it is a pill with body identical hormones (estradiol and progesterone) (HST). It is intended as a treatment for menopause symptoms of estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus who have not had bleeding for at least 12 months since the last menstrual period. It is a capsule that combines estradiol and progesterone. Dosage Take 1 capsule once a day with some water.
Hormone therapy is often associated with fear of increased risk of breast cancer. The nuance: - There is no increased risk of breast cancer for the first 5 years from age 51 when you can normally go into menopause. - Use of hormone therapy in the form of estrogen with or without progesterone lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Long-term use causes YOU to live an average of 2 to 3 years longer by decreasing cardiovascular as well as other diseases. - For women, the risk of cardiovascular disease is 9 times higher than the risk of breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease often does not show up until older age. Women experience much more illness and die much more often from cardiovascular disease than from breast cancer. - Women with breast cancer who also took hormone therapy have equally good survival compared to women without breast cancer who did not take hormone therapy due to good treatment options. - Smoking, eating red meat, being overweight, never having been pregnant as well as never breastfeeding are risk factors that cause a much higher risk of breast cancer than using hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms. - In fact, if Your uterus has already been removed and You are only using estrogens for menopause symptoms, the risk of breast cancer is almost negligible. In summary, hormone therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer for the first 5 years and offers many benefits with prevention on cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis (osteoporosis) in addition to the good effects on quality of life.