What is menopause?
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and oestrogen levels remain consistently low.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause, which can typically start in a woman’s 40s, but can begin earlier, is when the ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen. This can initially lead to a change in menstrual cycles which may be the first indication for a woman. Other physical symptoms may steadily occur e.g., hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, brain fog (to name but a few!) but emotional and psychological effects can happen at this time too - mood swings, anxiety, low self-esteem and reduced libido.
It is important to note that menopause and perimenopause are natural processes (unless medically induced due to treatment e.g., cancer treatment. However, the symptoms experienced by women can significantly impact their quality of life.
What is premature menopause?
Premature menopause (sometimes referred to as Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, POI) is menopause that happens before the age of 40. While early menopause happens between 40 to 45. Premature menopause can be natural or induced by illness, genetics, medical treatments or other conditions.
If you are under 45 and have noticed your periods becoming infrequent or stopping altogether, you should seek reliable medical advice.
What are the considerations for women?
Most women in today’s society will spend up to a third of their life post-menopausal. A decline in oestrogen levels can have an impact on a woman’s cardiovascular risk (heart attack, stroke), on osteoporosis risk (leading to fragile and broken bones) and on cognitive decline (Alzheimer’s and dementia).
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Perimenopausal symptoms can vary for every individual woman. Some women report little if no significant change. However, there are lots of women for whom menopause and menopausal symptoms can have a moderate to severe to detrimental impact on their everyday life.
Managing symptoms
There are several methods to managing menopausal symptoms. While their effectiveness
may vary for each individual, some commonly recommended approaches include:
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1. Lifestyle changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on menopausal symptoms. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, reducing high sugar and alcohol intake, stopping smoking and getting better sleep can help alleviate symptoms
2. Herbal remedies: Certain herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, evening primrose oil and red clover, have been suggested to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before trying herbal remedies, as they may interact with other medications and have potential side effects
3. Mind-body techniques: Practices like yoga, Pilates, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve sleep quality and promote overall wellbeing
4. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. It can be beneficial in managing mood swings, anxiety, and depression associated with menopause
5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT seeks to give back and replace hormones that are in decline during perimenopause and menopause. The hormones include oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Preparations can take many forms – patches, gels, sprays, implants, pessaries, creams, oral tablets. Despite much controversy in years gone by, HRT is now recognised to be safe and have many benefits for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Each woman should be seen as individual and unique and HRT regimens tailored to her specific needs. This should be carried out by a healthcare professional – GP or nurse and yearly reviews should be part of ongoing care