The menopause is when a woman’s menstruation reduces and stops. It is sometimes called ‘the change’ and you may find you view it with mixed feelings as you recognise a different stage in your life. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
Hormonal changes cause you to stop having periods. The amount of the hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) your ovaries produce at this time drops significantly.
Common issues with the menopause
In the run-up to the menopause, periods become very erratic, and sometimes heavy. Your periods will usually not stop suddenly, but become less frequent, and then stop gradually. The menopause also sometimes aggravates osteoporosis –bone mass is lost because of the reduced levels of some hormones.
Menopausal women often experience:
• Night sweats and sleeplessness
• Urinary tract infection
• Headache and joint pain
How we can help you get through the menopause
We offer treatment to make the menopause easier. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) replaces your lost hormones to counteract the effects of the menopause. Discuss this with your consultant who can recommend the right type of HRT for you. The most common way to have HRT is by a daily tablet, but there are other ways:
• A skin patch applied to the skin
• A small pellet or implant under the skin
• Gel medication applied to the skin
Benefits of HRT:
• Relief from hot flushes and night sweats
• Maintenance of muscles tone, helping reduce any incontinence problems
• Help with sleep disturbances
• Effective treatment for vaginal dryness
• Help for hormonal related mood swings
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis – oestrogen inthe HRT stimulates bone building
It’s important to discuss all aspects with your consultants, to decide what’s best for you, as not all treatments suit everyone.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0800 688 699.
