Advanced Womens Health Center
8501 Brimhall Road #300
Bakersfield CA, 93312
Suites C and D (West side)
8501 Brimhall Road #300
Bakersfield CA, 93312
Suites C and D (West side)
Menopause is a period in a woman’s life when hormones levels drop as she exits her reproductive years. So much so that she has not had her period for a year or more. This occurs on average at age 51 in the US but differs for each woman as genetics play a role. Usually, if a woman knows when her mother or sisters went through menopause, she can predict when she will go through menopause.
It last technically until you die, as your hormone levels never go back to the pre-menopause level again. But the good news is that the symptoms of menopause decrease over time and women can usually expect not to have systems that they would need to take medication for (hormones) at some point. This is usually around the age of 60-65, but not always for all women, and some patients continue to take medications, such as hormones, well past age 65.
It is not required you use any treatments or medication for menopause. Treatments are available and should only be used for unwanted systems such as hot flashes, fatigue, malaise, night sweats, mood changes, irritability, vaginal dryness, skin dryness, and hair thinning. The primary treatment available is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This consist of one or more of the following hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
HRT can be given in many forms such as oral pills, injections, creams or oils that the patient rubs into their skin, vaginal inserts and vaginal rings. There are non-hormonal options available including low dose anti-depressant medication uses to treat hot flashes, mood changes, and irritability. Low blood pressure can be used as medication used to treat hot flashes. Over the counter medication consist of supplements that are composed of plant-based nutrients which can be effective.
Does menopause increase my risk for other conditions? What tests or screenings should I have now, and how often? Yes, as a woman’s hormones change during menopause she is more at risk for heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis (bone loss). The heart attack and stroke risk increase because her fat distribution becomes more like a man’s fat distributes. (centrally around the chest and abdomen) vs being around the breast and hip (pre-menopause). And this central fat distribution has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Osteoporosis risk increases with the lack of estrogen causing bone loss to increase. With that being said, one should have a full Blood Panel including Cholesterol and Thyroid tests once a year, also maintain a healthy weight. Bone density scanning DEXA SCAN should be done everyone two years. Continue mammograms everyone 1-2 years, and Pap smears are recommend as well.
How will menopause affect my sex life? After menopause will my body make sex hormones anymore? Usually, as one’s hormones decrease with menopause, the sex drive goes down as well. Vaginal dryness occurs, which can make having sex painful, leading one also to have a decrease sexual desire (low libido). After menopause, your body does continue to make sex hormones, just in reduced amount. Remember, everyone is different. One woman may produce higher amounts compared to another woman the same age.
You can and should exercise and decrease calorie intake to help prevent the weight gain during menopause, but it may not always be 100% avoidable. This is a time in a woman’s life where typically her metabolism slows down, combined with hormone level decreasing usually leading to weight gain.
A woman’s weight gain is due to the body placing the excess fat from her breasts and hips to a mid-section distribution (abdomen) during menopause. This is typical the belly fat that many menopausal woman experience. Everyone is different, genetics certainly play a role, also exercising daily and decreasing your calories intact as you age will certainly help.
Also, starting HRT can bring back the hormone balance a woman loses in menopause which can lead to more energy, more working out and weight loss or maintenance. Taking hormones in itself will not cause weight loss without coupled exercise and diet.
Menopause does not worsen or improve the prognosis or outcome of most preexisting medical conditions. But because you start to feel worse during menopause ( fatigue, malaise, hot flashes and night sweats) it can make systems feel worse in conditions that cause fatigue, malaise (a general feeling of discomfort), etc. (like lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and thyroid conditions. )
Yes HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is very effective but does have minimal risk for breast cancer, heart atack, stroke, and blood clots. Keep in mind these conditions only increase approximately by 1% but using HRT. Usually, the benefits outweigh the risks. This should be discussed carefully with your OB/GYN to see if you are a good candidate for HRT. HRT is very effective in eliminating unwanted symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, malaise, mood changes, irritability, vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, skin dryness, and hair loss.
Other than HRT which can be prescribed by a medical doctor (your OB/GYN) there are OTC (over the counter) options that usually consist of plant-based estrogens such as yams, primrose, black cohosh.
How much and what kinds of exercise should I be doing? Usually 30-60 min of cardiovascular exercise a day where you have a heart rate of 120-140/ min during the exercise is best. After this, weight training with small to moderate weights can help maintain healthy bones.
Trying to be healthy by exercising daily, maintaining an average weight for your body, not smoking, not drinking excessive alcohol and maintaining good spiritual health has been and should be effective as well. Decreasing sugar in one’s diet can be helpful as well.
