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Physical Changes

• Reproductive System

  • The ovaries stop producing eggs for fertilisation, leading to irregular or missed periods

  • Eventually, the ovaries stop ovulating altogether, and periods stop completely

  • Thickening of cervical mucus, a symptom signifying ovulation, also stops

• Weight Gain

  • Menopause causes the body to reserve energy more, which means you won’t burn calories and fat as easily

  • This can lead to weight gain. Menopausal women are also more prone to gaining weight around their midline

• Skeletal System and Musculature

  • Menopause causes the bones to lose their density. This can increase the risk of bone fractures in women

  • A loss of muscle mass during menopause may also occur at a higher rate than before

  • Joints may become stiff and achy, leading to joint pain

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TREATMENT OF MENOPAUSE

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Menopause is a natural process. Many symptoms will go away over time. But if they’re causing problems, the following treatments are commonly used:

• Hormone Therapy

  • Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment for relieving hot flashes

  • Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss and some of the secondary symptoms of menopause

  • Estrogen can also be administered directly to the vagina using a cream, tablet or ring to relieve vaginal dryness

• Non Hormonal Medications

  • Medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) help your body use its estrogen to treat hot flashes and vaginal dryness

  • Certain medicines, related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may decrease menopausal hot flashes

• Medications for Osteoporosis

  • Based on patient needs, vitamin D and calcium supplements are prescribed to strengthen the bones

Treating Emotional and Mental Health

A woman needs more support, love, care and patience during her menopausal phase. The hormonal imbalance severely impact the mental and emotional health. Here are few ways to heal her:

• Sleep - Mood swings associated with menopause are often improved by getting a good night’s sleep

• Antidepressants - If mood swings remain, discuss with your doctor to identify the cause, screen for severe depression, and choose the right treatment

• Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, paced breathing, guided imagery, massage and progressive muscle relaxation may help with menopausal symptoms

• Channel Anger into Creative Activities

  • Activities like painting, writing, gardening, and even home decorating can give women the space to process their emotions in a positive way

  • Accepting that they’re moving into a new phase of life and embracing that change as a positive one decreases strong mood swings

• Journaling - Note down your frustrations and reflect back on your own behavior to identify triggers. This may help in preventing emotional outbursts by avoiding such triggers.​

• Power of the Community

  • Take a stress management class so you can have new ways to stop stressful outbursts

  • Consider an online menopause support group

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Lifestyle Changes to Treat Symptoms

• To deal with hot flashes, drink cold water and sit/sleep in proper ventilated cold areas or use air conditioner. Also sleeping naked or in thin cotton clothes can also help

• Smoking tobacco can increase the chances of early menopause. Smoking also aggravates the hot flashes​

• Use a lubricant to treat vaginal dryness

• Stay active. Regular exercising can help with sleep better and also strengthen the bones and muscles. This mitigates the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease

• Maintain a healthy social life to ease on depression and memory issues

• Avoid the day time nap to get better sleep at night

• Limiting alcohol intake can reduce the risk of breast cancer

• Maintain a balanced diet and keep a healthy weight

• Increase the intake of multivitamins, calcium and vitamin D

• Practice yoga, mindfulness or massages to help you relax the mind and body

• Communicate your feelings with family members or even a therapist, if needed

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HOW TO SUPPORT SOMEONE GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE?

A common complaint among those supporting menopausal women is that whatever they do seems to be wrong and makes things worse. There are concrete steps you can take to support someone as they go through menopause:

• Be Patient

  • This time in a woman's life is often full of other transitions—not just physical ones

  • Women may be caring for aging parents or relatives, supporting their children as they move into adulthood, or taking on new responsibilities at work

• Educate Yourself

  • Learn everything you possibly can about what menopause is like and what changes and experiences are common

  • Once you understand that mood swings and hot flashes are typical, it will reduce the tension regarding the mood ups and downs

• Communicate

  • Talk, even if communication doesn't come naturally to you

  • Let the menopausal partner/friend/mother know you are on her side

• Offer to Help

  • Help with chores to ease a hectic schedule and prevent the woman from feeling overwhelmed

• Praise

  • This is a perfect time to appreciate the person and tell her that you admire her efforts as she is going through menopause

  • Women might need reassurance about their bodies and looks as they feel less confident

• Don't put pressure on women for sexual activity

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WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR?

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Although menopause is a natural process, but more often women fall prey to cancer, heart disease and unwanted pregnancies during this phase. Seek medical advise if any of the below mentioned conditions develop:

• Excessively long or short periods during the perimenopausal phase

• Bleeding during or after the sex

• Heavy bleeding including blood clots during the periods

• If you bleed through your vagina even after menopause

• If any of the symptoms become severe and interfere with your daily life

• Visit your doctor regularly for preventive health checkups

• As you age, conduct recommended health screening tests, such as colonoscopy, mammography and triglyceride screening, at regular intervals

• Your doctor might recommend other tests and exams, too, including thyroid testing, depending on your history, and breast and pelvic exams, to avoid any chance of cancer development

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HEALTH COMPLICATIONS DURING MENOPAUSE

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• Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease

  • When your estrogen levels decline, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases

  • Ensure to maintain a balanced diet, exercise and take steps to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure within safe levels

• Osteoporosis

  • This condition causes bones to become weak, leading to an increased risk of fracture

  • During and after menopause, bone density is lost at a rapid rate, increasing the risk of osteoporosis

  • Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are especially susceptible to fractures of their spine, hips and wrists

• Cataract

  • A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eye that prevent the lens from sending clear images to the retina

  • Surgery to remove a cataract is generally very safe and has a high success rate

  • Most people can go home the same day as their cataract surgery

• Periodontal Disease

  • Periodontitis is a serious bacterial infection of the gums and teeth

  • Hormonal changes in women (such as menopause occurs) can make the gums more sensitive, and thus, more at risk of periodontitis

• Urinary Incontinence

  • Women experience frequent, sudden and strong urges to urinate, as the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose elasticity

  • This may be followed by:

    • Involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence)

    • Loss of urine with coughing or laughing (stress incontinence)

  • Strengthening pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises and using a vaginal estrogen cream/ring may help relieve symptoms of incontinence

• Weight Gain

  • Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause as the body metabolism slows

  • You may need to intake lesser food and work out more just to maintain the current weight