Pink Prescriptions

Menopause, is a word that can strike fear in women and is often a misunderstood and confusing time.  Menopause is a natural stage of life; it is not a disease or a disorder.  Menopause affects every woman but still can be taboo or a mystery to many. Women can be scared of menopause because it is a sign that they are getting older, but educating oneself about menopause is the best way to take away any fear and help prepare for entering what can be one of the most empowering times of a woman's life.

• When does menopause start and why does it happen? Menopause usually occurs in the 50s for most women, but can vary from the early 40s to the mid to late 50s.  The average age for menopause is 51. Menopause is not a sudden or abrupt change, it is usually a gradual process that occurs over a few years.  Menopause follows perimenopause, the transitional years prior to menopause. 
• When does perimenopause begin? Most women become aware of changes in their bodies and mood in their mid to late 40s, but can begin as early as 35.
• What are these changes? Most women become aware of changes in their bodies and mood in their mid to late 40s, but can begin as early as 35.
  When am I officially through perimenopause and in menopause? Typically, a woman is considered in menopause when she has been without a period for 12 months.
• What will happen to my period? Due to the hormone changes, anovulation, or lack of producing an egg each month, occurs.  This may make a woman skip a period all together or sometimes have periods that are closer together.  It is totally normal for a period to stop for a few months and then start up again! Women are often anxious when their period changes and afraid that something is wrong with them, or they think they could be pregnant. Timing of periods can become difficult and flow can change (ranging from very heavy bleeding to light spotting).  As the months between periods get longer, this usually means a woman is closer to menopause.
• What is a hot flash? A hot flash is a sudden temporary increase in body temperature. Your face and neck may become red; you can also have red blotches on your chest, back, and arms.  A strong hot flash can raise the body temperature by many degrees in a short time and can results in heavy sweating followed by cold shivers. Some women have very few hot flashes, while others can have multiple flashes per day.
• What can i do for a hot flash? There are many options to help with hot flashes ranging from medications like hormone replacement or anti depressants to over-the-counter plant estrogens and herbal remedies.  Women can also modify their diets, like limiting caffeine and alcohol and including behavior modifications like yoga, meditation, dressing in removable layers of light weight clothing, carrying fans, lowering air conditioning, and drinking ice water all will help alleviate symptoms.

• I had a hysterectomy and don't have a uterus, how will I know I am in menopause? When a woman does not have periods to track, then she will have to monitor for the other changes involved with menopause.  She can also make a visit to her doctor's office to get a blood test or saliva test to check her hormone levels.
  why am i gaining weight and why is it in my belly?  Weight gain around menopause is common; the hormonal changes make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen.  Decreasing estrogen levels are thought to change where your fat is distributed. But weight gain can also be attributed to decrease in activity as women age and change their lifestyles.  Also, loss of muscle mass occurs, and this decreases the rate at which your body uses calories.  This makes it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.
• How can I prevent weight gain after menopause?  There is no magic bullet for preventing or reversing menopause weight gain but you can be more active (with aerobic activity and strength training), eat less to maintain your current weight, and opt for better food choices (like fruit, vegetables, lean sources of protein).
• OK, I have not had a period in a year, now what is going to happen?  Once the more extreme hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause are over, the hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats can improve significantly or even disappear. 
• That sounds great! Is there something else to expect? After menopause the hormone levels decrease and effects from low estrogen start to occur.  These usually include vaginal dryness, overall skin drying, urgency of urination, urinary incontinence, increased risk of osteoporosis, weight gain (especially around your waist), loss of muscle, and joint aches.
• I don't want to experience these changes, what can I do? Hormone replacement can alleviate the effects of low estrogen and avoid these symptoms.  There are many hormone options available if a woman is interested, you can talk to your doctor if you want to know more about either traditional or bioidentical hormones.
  I don't want to take hormones, what else can I do? There are many steps you can take to help your health in the years around menopause.  First, eat a balanced diet.  You can take vitamin B 12 to help alleviate fatigue, vitamin D to help maintain bone health, melatonin to help with insomnia. Next, be active!  Do exercises that help build muscle strength and moderate physical activity to help your heart and mood.
• Is there anything positive about menopause? Yes! Many women feel relieved not to worry about contraception any longer allowing them to enjoy their sexuality more.  Some women, who have had painful or heavy periods, are happy to be free of their monthly cycle (no more tampons!). The monthly fluctuation of hormones is gone, so some women feel more "stable" without these changes (no more PMS!). Migraine sufferers experience less migraines and sometimes experience total resolution of them. 

In the end, being prepared and knowing what to expect can help you be ready for menopause.  Today, there are endless web sites, blogs, books, magazines (PINK) and television shows devoted to women's health in addition to the resources of your doctor or health professional, so reach out and read, listen, and most importantly, ask your doctor about menopause!