Mercy Network
Mercy Family Clinic
For Her: Menopause
Menopause is an important time in a woman’s life. Her body is going through changes that can affect her social life, her feelings about herself and her functioning at work. In the past, menopause was often surrounded by misconceptions and myths. Now, it is recognized that menopause is a natural step in the process of aging. Contrary to the old-fashioned view that life is all downhill after menopause, many women today find that the years after menopause offer new discoveries and fresh challenges.
Medical advances have resulted in a wide range of health care choices that can enhance quality of life during menopause and the decades afterward. It is vital for women to know that menopause itself carries no serious health risks. However, the chance for heart disease and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) increases after menopause. Understanding menopause and the range of treatment options can help women make the best health decisions.
Menopause is the medical term for the end of a woman’s menstrual periods. It is a natural part of aging and occurs when the ovaries stop making hormones called estrogens. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60, but it can happen earlier. Menopause also can occur when the ovaries are surgically removed or stop functioning for any other reason.
About 75 percent of women report having symptoms during menopause, but the severity and frequency of symptoms varies from woman to woman. Symptoms may include:
- Bone changes: During menopause your bones
lose calcium, which can cause them to become thinner and break
easier. This may cause osteoporosis, which also is called “brittle
bone disease.”
- Heart disease: The rate of heart disease
increases considerably in women after menopause. Because many
people think of heart disease as a “man’s problem,” it
may be surprising to know that heart disease is the leading
cause of death among women. Risk factors for heart disease
in women (as well as men) include:
- Being overweight
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- High levels of “bad” cholesterol
- A low level of activity
- Hair changes: Hair may thin and feel different.
Some woman may experience hair growth on their face.
- Breast changes: Breasts may not be as full.
- Hot flashes: This is the most common sign
of menopause. Hot flashes can last a few seconds or up to an
hour. They can occur in weekly or monthly cycles, and may go
away but can return later. Hot flashes may continue for year,
but not usually longer than five years. They are more common
at night.
- Menstrual period: One of the first signs of menopause is
a change in monthly periods. You may skip periods or they may
come closer together; flow may be lighter or heavier than normal,
but eventually periods will slowly stop.
- Mood changes: You may go through menopause with no mood changes.
But you could feel nervous, irritable, tired, or have mild
depression. This is usually not a serious problem but you should
talk to your health care provider. Talking to your partner
or a close friend or relative also may help.
- Urine changes: After menopause some women may have urine
infections or problems with their kidneys. You may go to the
bathroom more often or have pain when you urinate. Sometimes
you may need to get up at night to urinate. You also may feel
pressure and a feeling that you need to urinate, which can
cause you to leak urine if you do not go the bathroom right
away.
- Vaginal changes: Vaginal dryness may occur.
- Other changes: Headaches, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and tiredness are other signs of menopause.
Remember, menopause is a perfectly natural occurrence. If you believe you are going through menopause, talk with your health care provider about the changes you are experiencing and discuss your treatment options with him or her.