Answers to Your Top 7 Menopause Questions

The phase of a woman's life called menopause can bring with it a wide variety of challenges to overcome.

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What IS menopause?

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Menopause officially begins a year after a woman's last menstrual period. It marks the end of fertility and is a natural process all women will go through.

As a woman approaches menopause, her ovaries produce less estrogen, which leads to the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and fatigue.

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What are the most common symptoms of menopause?

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As menopause approaches, menstruation becomes irregular. The type and severity of other symptoms vary from one woman to the next. Women who have had a hysterectomy usually have more frequent and severe symptoms.

The most common menopause symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Pain with sexual intercourse related to vaginal dryness

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Do I need to see a doctor for my menopause symptoms?

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It's always good to have an open line of communication with your doctor. Let him or her know how you are feeling and what symptoms you are suffering. If symptoms are interfering with your daily life, you should definitely consider seeking medical advice.

How can your doctor help? There are blood tests that may confirm whether you are entering menopause. There are also hormones or prescription medications that he or she can give you. Hormone treatments control symptoms and can reduce disease risks, The benefits and risks of hormone therapies should be discussed.

In addition, your doctor can give you information regarding lifestyle and nutritional changes that you can make to alleviate your symptoms.

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Are there lifestyle changes I can make to help alleviate menopause symptoms?

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A healthy lifestyle can help alleviate many common menopause symptoms. Here are a few simple changes you can make that might help:

• Stop smoking. This may help reduce the number of hot flashes you experience.
• Get more exercise, which will alleviate stress and combat your slower metabolism.
• Make healthy eating a priority. Incorporate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and lean meat.
• Dress in layers, so when hot flashes DO hit you can easily remove a layer or two.

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Will changes in my diet help reduce the severity of menopause symptoms?

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The food we eat plays a huge role in how our body functions. Changes in diet may help alleviate certain health concerns that arise during menopause:

1. If you suffer from hot flashes, try avoiding spicy foods.
2. Eat more calcium-rich foods for improved bone health.
3. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods, which may lead to increased weight gain.
4. Eat more frequent meals, but make them smaller in size.
5. Include a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to ensure that you are providing your body with an assortment of vitamins and minerals.
6. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which may make hot flashes worse.
7. Drink plenty of water to keep your body temperature cool and to stay hydrated.

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How will menopause affect my sex life?

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A change in sexual interest or response is often a complaint from women after menopause. Some women suffer from vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. Lubricants or vaginal moisturizers may help. Estrogen therapies, whether administered via pill, patch or vaginal method, are very effective for restoring normal vaginal tissue and curing pain with intercourse. It is strongly advised that you not continue having intercourse that is painful.

Some women also notice a decrease in sex drive. It is important to remember there is no 'normal' frequency for partners to have sex. As long as there is no conflict in your relationship regarding sexual frequency, it should not be a huge concern.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, especially if they are causing problems with your relationship.

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Will I gain weight during menopause?

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A decrease in a woman's rate of metabolism is common after menopause, but that doesn't mean you will automatically gain weight. There are steps you can take to both stop and reduce your weight gain during menopause.

Hormones alone do not contribute to weight gain after menopause. In fact, several major studies conclude that taking estrogen after menopause helps control weight gain.

A reduction in physical activity, genetic factors, stress, and diet play a large role in our weight. The more you move, the more calories you burn, and the less likely you are to gain weight. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, and make sure you include some light weight training for muscle strength. Combine your exercise routine with a healthy diet for optimum results.

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