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Menopause problems?

Menopause is the stage of life that begins when women have stopped having periods for one year.

Some common symptoms of menopause are:

• irregular periods that in time stop altogether

• hot flashes, felt as a warmth that creeps up the body to the neck and face

• difficulty sleeping

• depression and memory loss

• night sweats

• change in sexual desire or

• vaginal dryness

Regular exercise, a good diet, and rest can reduce these symptoms; however sometimes medical care is needed. Most symptoms will be relieved by taking the female hormone, estrogen. Women may start hormone therapy when they still have periods or wait until their periods fully stop.

The silent problems of aging, such as heart disease and osteoporosis, which is thinning of the bones, are also helped with the use of estrogen. It is for these reasons that hormone replacement therapy is usually recommended. Once started, relief begins in about one month. The treatment needs to continue for years for long-term benefit and relief.

Your healthcare provider can review the risks and benefits of hormone therapy and the different methods of taking it.

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