Some women may wish to take HRT for many years. Their individual benefits and risk should be assessed every year. Complementary and alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies and bioidentical "natural" hormones, are not recommended for symptoms of the menopause. This is because it's generally unclear how safe and effective they are. Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. Body identical hormones, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms.
Some complementary and alternative therapies can also interact with other medicines and cause side effects.
Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice if you're thinking about using a complementary therapy. Page last reviewed: 29 August Next review due: 29 August HRT is extremely effective at relieving menopausal symptoms. Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy HRT The main benefit of HRT is that it can help relieve most menopausal symptoms , including hot flushes, brain fog, joint pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness.
Find out more about HRT Hot flushes and night sweats If you experience hot flushes and night sweats as a result of the menopause, simple measures may sometimes help, such as: wearing light clothing keeping your bedroom cool at night taking a cool shower, using a fan or having a cold drink trying to reduce your stress levels avoiding potential triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol taking regular exercise and losing weight if you're overweight If the flushes and sweats are frequent or severe, your GP may suggest taking HRT.
Mood changes Some women experience mood swings, low mood and anxiety around the time of the menopause. Reduced sexual desire It's common for women to lose interest in sex around the time of the menopause, but HRT can often help with this.
Vaginal dryness and discomfort If your vagina becomes dry, painful or itchy as a result of the menopause, your GP can prescribe oestrogen treatment that's put directly into your vagina as a pessary, cream or vaginal ring. This can safely be used alongside HRT.
Weak bones Women who have been through the menopause are at an increased risk of developing weak bones that may break more easily osteoporosis as a result of the lower level of oestrogen in the body. Follow-up appointments If you're having treatment for your menopausal symptoms, you'll need to return to your GP for a follow-up review after 3 months, and once a year after that.
Vaginal dryness can lead to discomfort or pain during sex. Osteoporosis is when the bones become weak and brittle due to a lack of calcium. Estrogen preserves bone health by preventing calcium loss. When estrogen levels decline because of hormonal changes, it may increase the risk for fractures in the spine, hips, legs, and arms. Women who drink a lot of alcohol, smoke, and do not exercise are at an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Thin and petite women and those with a family history of osteoporosis also have a higher risk of developing this condition. Estrogen seems to play a role in protecting the body from heart disease because it may elevate good HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. A sharp increase in heart disease risk occurs with menopause. Although no one can stop the natural cycles of life, there are many things you can do to take care of yourself during menopause.
Below we offer our top ten Menopause Care Tips to mitigate symptoms and help you transition into this new phase of life. Hormone therapy is one way that many women take care of themselves during menopause. HT infuses the body with the hormones that are no longer produced in the body. HT may ease symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis. Not every woman needs HT, but many find relief from it. Benefits of HT can include decreasing hot flashes and sweating, increasing vaginal moisture, fewer mood swings, and preventing bone fractures.
If the symptoms of menopause are unmanageable for you, talk to your doctor about HT. If you have a family history of osteoporosis or heart disease, it is especially important to speak with your doctor. Protecting your heart and bone health is one of the best ways to take care of yourself.
Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most common symptoms of menopause. Sometimes it might feel like you are always hot. Investing in a portable fan is one way that you can take care of yourself no matter where you are. You might be surprised by what this inexpensive machine can do for you. Lightweight fabrics made from natural fibers help keep your temperature down. Materials for our clothes, socks, sheets, and blankets all come in one of three fabric types: synthetic, natural, or a combination of the two.
Fabric made from synthetic materials like acrylic, polyester, nylon, and spandex are all less breathable than natural fibers, which means they retain more heat. Cotton and linen are among the top choices for keeping your temperature down during menopause. These fabrics release heat instead of keeping it trapped close to the body.
If you have night sweats, check your sheets and blanket to see if they are made from a natural material. Switching to cotton bedding could help significantly. The same goes for clothing.
Wearing naturally airy fabrics could be a daily comfort game changer. Layering clothing is one of the best ways you can control your comfort and keep your cool when going through menopause. Choose three or more top layers to help regulate your temperature throughout the day.
Many women layer a sleeveless shirt or t-shirt with a loose top and a light jacket or cardigan to combat any chills following a hot flash.
The more layers you have ready to peel off or pile on, the better. Pain during sex is one of the challenging aspects of menopause because it can impact close relationships and self-esteem. Know that you have options. Many women find relief from water-based lubricants and vaginal moisturizers sold at the pharmacy.
Women in North America will likely experience natural menopause between ages 40 and 58, averaging around age Some women, however, reach this phase in their 30s, others in their 60s. Typically, women reach menopause around the same age as their mothers and sisters. Trip Tip: Smokers may get there about two years earlier than nonsmokers, while race, age at first period, use of birth control pills or fertility medications do not seem to be determining factors. Recalculating: Postmenopause The final stop along our midlife tour is postmenopause.
This phase includes all the time after menopause, and still manages to muster up a surprise or two. Due to the continued decrease in estrogen levels during this time, symptoms like vaginal dryness and hot flashes may linger. Trip Tip: Lower hormone levels also increase your risk for related diseases like osteoporosis. Enjoy the Ride Signs. This menopause tour is unique for every woman. So for all the where-the-heck-am-I moments along the way, stop by your menopause navigation station at www.
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