Managing Menopause Naturally and Medically: Treatment Options Explained

Understanding Menopause

Twelve months without menstruation marks menopause in women; some may experience it in their 40s, while some may witness this phase in their 50s. This phenomenon does not occur all of a sudden; its symptoms may be noticed a few years prior, in a phase referred to as perimenopause. The duration of perimenopause may vary amongst women from 2 to 8 years. During the transition from perimenopause to menopause, the amount of hormone produced by the ovaries may differ; women also experience inconsistent and shorter menstrual cycles. As menopause approaches, the gap between periods tends to widen further, and with menopause, it comes to a halt.

After attaining menopause, a woman’s body produces very little to no hormones (estrogen and progesterone), which are crucial for maintaining the body’s natural balance, bone density, keeping the vaginal tissues healthy, regulating mood, and neurological functions. The hormonal imbalance causes the following symptoms:

• Hair thinning and loss of skin elasticity

• Increase of weight, particularly around the abdomen.

• Reduced libido or sex drive

• Vaginal dryness and experiencing pain during intimacy

• Brain fog and feeling of confusion

Ways to Manage Menopausal Symptoms

There are various ways to manage menopause and its symptoms; however, in order to find the best option, you will first have to try a few of them before you are finally able to determine the best one for you. Some of the treatment options are mentioned below:

• Menopausal Hormonal Therapy (MHT), also called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• Non-hormonal medicine

• Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications

• Natural Therapies

Menopausal Hormonal Therapy

Menopausal Hormonal Therapy(MHT) works best in dealing with mild menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, preventing loss of bone density, and other menopausal symptoms. It is usually recommended for women under 60 years and those who are experiencing menopause for less than 10years. HRT usually remains safe and effective for many women when administered under medical supervision. The doctors would recommend starting with a lower dose and continuing it for some time before gradually increasing to a higher dose. However, healthcare providers do not recommend its long-term use as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.

Vaginal Estrogen

Vaginal estrogen helps deal with dryness of vagina and pain during intercourse; it is available as vaginal cream, tablets, and rings. The estrogen is applied to the vagina, which helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy.

Vaginal Inserts

Intrarosa (Prasterone) is a suppository or vaginal insert that contains a clinically synthesized hormone: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). It is inserted into the vagina to tackle vaginal dryness and painful intercourse occurring due to menopause.

Non-hormonal medicine

Some women who are unable to undertake MHT due to issues like hormone-positive breast cancer, or if they do not wish to go with MHT, instead opt for an alternate treatment and may be prescribed Non-hormonal medicine. These are prescription medications and require a valid prescription from the doctor. Non-hormonal medicines include certain antidepressants, seizure and high blood pressure medication. Before you opt for any of these menopause treatment online, you must first consult a healthcare specialist to know if the medication would suit your condition.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications

Menopause can also be managed by making certain lifestyle adjustments; it is, in fact, the primary option to manage menopause and its symptoms naturally. Unlike medications, these lifestyle modifications do not pose harm to the body but rather add many benefits to the body in the long term. A few of them are discussed below:

Maintaining a healthy weight:

Though difficult, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight after menopause, as being overweight can worsen menopausal symptoms. Visceral fat, or fat stored around the belly, may increase the risk of certain types of cancer in women. Eating a healthy diet and staying physically active can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Regular Physical Exercise:

Including regular exercise in your daily routine not only helps you maintain a healthy weight but also enhances quality of sleep, helps uplift mood, improves cognitive function, and minimizes the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis, particularly if you are going through menopause.

Friendly Environment:

For some women, even a slight increase in body temperature may cause hot flashes or night sweats. A few tips, such as opting for clothes made of natural fiber, keeping the room temperature low, and drinking cool water, can help lower body temperature.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking:

Quitting smoking is essential as it may cause various health issues and also enhances the chances of heart diseases and certain types of cancer in women. You must also abstain from secondhand smoke. You must also avoid alcohol, as both smoking and alcohol act as triggers for night sweats and hot flashes.

Opt for Safe Sex:

After the onset of menopause, the vagina becomes dry and thin, making it vulnerable to tears and cuts while having sex, which increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Vaginal dryness due to menopause may cause pain while having sex; to avoid this, one may use water-based or silicone-based vaginal lubricants. Although women don’t get pregnant after menopause, they can still contract STIs; therefore, you must practice safe sex, and condoms are the best way to keep STIs in check. By staying sexually active, the blood supply to the vagina is increased, which can help ease vaginal discomfort.

Holistic Therapies:

Many women incorporate holistic therapies such as yoga, exercise, acupuncture, and mindfulness techniques as a measure to deal with menopausal symptoms. Though there are not enough references that indicate practicing holistic approaches helps with menopausal symptoms, they certainly help in improving sleep and enhancing general wellness.

Conclusion

Menopause is a biological phenomenon that very elderly women experience, and this transition brings various changes in their bodies. Women experiencing menopause are more prone to certain health conditions, like breast cancer, urinary incontinence (or trouble holding urine), reduced libido, and osteoporosis. With regular screening, medications, HRT, and incorporating natural remedies can help address menopausal symptoms. Besides these, practicing yoga and mindfulness techniques, taking a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding triggers like alcohol and smoking can help one navigate this transition and lead a normal life.