Menopause Management Specialist

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life which occurs when she has stopped producing functional eggs. At birth women have about 1 to 3 million functioning eggs and by the time a woman reaches menstruation she has around 400,000. At menopause, women can have less than 10,000. While some are indeed lost through ovulation, many die naturally in a process referred to as atresia. As menopause draws near, the eggs is a woman’s body become resistant to FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, and the ovaries drastically reduce production of estrogen. At menopause, testosterone production is also decreased. These changes often cause numerous unwanted symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

The symptoms experienced can vary from woman to woman and some may not have symptoms at all. The commonly experienced signs or symptoms of menopause can include:

• Night Sweats
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Vaginal Dryness
• Hot Flashes
• Mood Swings

What Treatments Are Available for Severe Menopausal Symptoms?

When the symptoms of menopause interfere with a woman’s everyday life there are a variety of treatments which can be used including:

• Lifestyle changes- Diet and exercise can help to keep the woman in good physical health and avoiding potential triggers such as spicy foods and caffeine can help with night sweats and hot flashes.
• Prescription Medications- Hormone replacement therapy is commonly used and for women who have a uterus, estrogen and progesterone are prescribed. For women without a uterus, they are prescribed estrogen alone. Hormones are only prescribed under a doctor’s recommendation and there are other medications available if the woman does not want to take hormones.
• Alternative Therapies- Meditation, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques have been used by some women and they can help greatly. Herbal treatments have also shown success but should not be taken without speaking to a doctor.