MENOPAUSE is not a disease or disorder. This time in a woman's life is often full of other transitions in addition to 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.

Some women don't have any trouble with menopausal symptoms. For other women, the menopausal transition can bring hot flashes, trouble sleeping, pain during sex, moodiness and irritability, depression, or a combination of these symptoms.

 

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR MENOPAUSE

Homoeopathy helps with both the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause while working with a women’s natural aging process. It enables the aging process to occur naturally and gently, without the risk of side effects. Homoeopathic medicines may help with symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, poor sleep and vaginal dryness.

As each women’s journey through menopause is unique and the symptoms can be complex in certain cases; an in-depth consultation is required to help devise an individualised homoeopathic menopause plan. Homoeopathic medicine for menopause is prescribed based on these symptoms along with a history of emotional and general health.

KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSE

Menopause is a point in time when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause.

What is the normal age for menopause?

The average age of menopause, for Indian women, is approximately 47 years as compared to 51 years, for western women. However, the transition to menopause usually begins in your mid-40s.

Why does menopause happen?

When menopause happens on its own (natural menopause), it’s a normal part of aging. Menopause is defined as a complete year without menstrual bleeding, in the absence of any surgery or medical condition that may cause bleeding to stop such as hormonal birth control, radiation therapy or surgical removal of your ovaries.

As you age, your reproductive cycle begins to slow down and prepares to stop. This cycle has been continuously functioning since puberty. As menopause nears, your ovaries make less of a hormone called estrogen. When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle (period) starts to change. It can become irregular and then stop.

Physical changes can also happen as your body adapts to different levels of hormones. The symptoms you experience during each stage of menopause (perimenopause, menopause and post menopause) are all part of your body’s adjustment to these changes.

SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness

Signs and symptoms, including changes in menstruation can vary among women. Most likely, you'll experience some irregularity in your periods before they end. Skipping periods during perimenopause is common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will skip a month and return, or skip several months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Periods also tend to happen on shorter cycles, so they are closer together. Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If you've skipped a period but aren't sure you've started the menopausal transition, consider a pregnancy test.

How long do you have symptoms of menopause?

You can have symptoms of menopause for up to 10 years. However, most people experience symptoms of menopause for less than five years.

Can menopause be treated?

Menopause is a natural process that your body goes through. In some cases, you may not need any treatment for menopause. When discussing treatment for menopause with your doctor, it’s about treating the symptoms of menopause that disrupt your life. 

COMPLICATIONS OF MENOPAUSE

After menopause, your risk of certain medical conditions increases. Examples include.

• Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease -  When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. So it's important to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a normal weight. Ask your doctor for advice on how to protect your heart, such as how to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure if it's too high.
• Osteoporosis -  This condition causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are especially susceptible to fractures of their spine, hips and wrists.
• Urinary incontinence -  As the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose elasticity, you may experience frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence). You may have urinary tract infections more often.

Strengthening pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises may help relieve symptoms of incontinence.

• Sexual function. Vaginal dryness from decreased moisture production and loss of elasticity can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual intercourse. Also, decreased sensation may reduce your desire for sexual activity (libido).
• Weight gain. Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause because metabolism slows. You may need to eat less and exercise more, just to maintain your current weight.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR MENOPAUSE

Fortunately, many of the signs and symptoms associated with menopause are temporary. Take these steps to help reduce or prevent their effects.

• Cool hot flashes. Dress in layers, have a cold glass of water or go somewhere cooler. Try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, hot weather and even a warm room.
• Get enough sleep. Avoid caffeine, which can make it hard to get to sleep, and avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can interrupt sleep. Exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime. If hot flashes disturb your sleep, you may need to find a way to manage them before you can get adequate rest.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Techniques such as deep breathing, paced breathing, guided imagery, massage and progressive muscle relaxation may help with menopausal symptoms.
• Strengthen your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, called Kegel exercises, can improve some forms of urinary incontinence.
• Eat a balanced diet. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit saturated fats, oils and sugars. Take if you need calcium or vitamin D supplements to help meet daily requirements.
• Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause.
• Exercise regularly. Get regular physical activity or exercise on most days to help protect against heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions associated with aging.

AN OUTLOOK ON MENOPAUSE - BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

Menopause marks the natural end of fertility and occurs 12 months after the last period. Symptoms of menopause may start several years earlier and include menstrual changes, hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing. Symptoms can continue for several years after menopause. Homoeopathy provides natural ways to treat menopause and is completely safe with zero side effects.Natural homoeopathic medicines are of great help in dealing with various symptoms experienced by women during menopause.