Treating Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is a natural biological process that is usually accompanied by symptoms. Not all women need treating menopause symptoms, but treatments are available if they find them particularly troublesome. Menopause is a physiological problem that occurs naturally in the lives of all women and causes complications. Some women need care. As women age, the ovaries produce and secrete less hormone (especially estrogen). Thus, the person’s menstrual cycle gradually becomes irregular and stops completely after a while; in this condition, the person is menopausal.

Menopause can occur in the 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural biological process, but physical symptoms such as hot flashes and the emotional symptoms of menopause can disrupt women’s sleep, reduce their energy, or affect their emotional health. Many effective treatments, from lifestyle modifications to hormone therapy, can help reduce symptoms.

Menopause symptoms

Women may experience these signs and symptoms in the months or years leading up to menopause:

Weight gain and slowed metabolism
Thinning hair and dry skin
Loss of breast fullness
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
Chills
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood changes
Weak bones

Symptoms, including changes in menstruation, are different for each woman. All women will likely experience some irregularities before the end of their menstrual periods.

Treating menopause symptoms

Every woman experiences menopause differently. Some experience one or two symptoms that may be mild, while others have more severe and distressing symptoms. Some women choose menopause without treatment, while others use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other therapies to manage their symptoms. Treating Menopause Symptoms include lifestyle changes, non-prescribed therapies, and prescribed treatments.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes can help reduce and treat Menopause Symptoms.

Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D

Hormonal changes during menopause can weaken bones and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D are linked to bone health, so getting enough nutrients into your diet is important. Many foods are calcium-rich, including dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese.

Leafy vegetables such as collard greens, kale, and spinach are also calcium-rich. Rich food sources include oily fish, eggs, cod liver oil, and foods fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight is the primary vitamin D source; the skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. With age, the skin becomes less efficient at making vitamins from sunlight. For women who are not exposed to the sun or cover their skin, it is important to take supplements or increase vitamin D dietary sources.

Gain and maintain a healthy weight

Weight gain is common during menopause, which can be due to a combination of hormonal changes, aging, lifestyle, and genetics. Gaining excess body fat, especially in the lower back, increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce the symptoms of menopause and prevent disease.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent some of the symptoms of menopause. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and can make you feel full, so they are great for weight loss and maintenance. They also help prevent many diseases, including heart disease. Fruits and vegetables also help prevent bone loss.

Avoid trigger foods

Some foods and beverages can trigger hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. This includes caffeine, alcohol, and sugary and spicy foods. Every woman should have a symptom notebook; if she feels that certain foods provoke menopausal symptoms, try to reduce her consumption or avoid them altogether.

Eat foods rich in phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are naturally planted compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Therefore, they may help balance hormones. Foods rich in phytoestrogens include soybeans, soy products, tempeh, tofu, flaxseeds, linseeds, sesame seeds, and beans. However, the content of phytoestrogens in foods varies depending on the processing methods.

There is a lot of evidence that soy products can reduce hot flashes, but the amount of relief offered is very different. In general, soy contains Daidzein. Daidzein is a compound that can be converted to an equivalent in the gut, a chemical that binds to estrogen receptors and multiplies some of the effects of estrogen in the body.

Reduce intake of refined sugar and processed foods

A diet rich in refined carbohydrates and sugar can cause a sharp rise in blood sugar and tiredness and irritability. Diets containing refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. Diets containing processed foods can also affect bone health.

Drink enough water

During menopause, women often experience dryness caused by low estrogen levels. Drinking 8-12 glasses of water daily can help with these symptoms. Drinking water can also reduce bloating, which can be caused by hormonal changes. Also, water causes a feeling of satiety and a slight increase in metabolism, thus preventing weight gain and losing weight.

Don’t skip meals

Irregular eating may worsen some of the symptoms of menopause, and skipping meals may prevent weight loss in postmenopausal women.

Eat protein-rich foods

Eating protein regularly throughout the day can help prevent the decline in lean muscle mass that occurs with age. In addition to helping prevent muscle loss, high-protein diets can also help lose weight. Protein-rich foods include meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and dairy products.

Get more exercise

Adequate exercise is essential for postmenopausal women. Exercise can relieve a variety of symptoms, including fatigue and depression. The right combination of aerobic exercise and strength training can counteract the common weight gain after menopause. Exercise also helps strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and pelvic floor, helping prevent incontinence.

Quit smoking

One way to treat menopausal symptoms is to quit smoking. Smoking not only increases the risk of heart disease and lung problems but can also exacerbate hot flashes. On average, smokers have more hot flashes than non-smokers.

Get enough sleep

While hormone fluctuations cause some depression and mood swings associated with menopause, sleep deprivation can worsen these symptoms. Deep sleep counteracts the production of stress hormones and allows the mind to rest and improve.

Non-prescribed treatments

Not all women use hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms for medical or personal reasons.

Herbal medicines

Herbs or plant extracts, such as St. John’s wort, black cohosh, and isoflavones, can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats in some women. However, their safety is unknown, and they can interact with other drugs. Remember to consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.

Alternative therapy

Alternative treatments such as acupressure, acupuncture, or homeopathy may help some women. However, more research is needed on the benefits of these treatments.

Prescribed treatments

Prescribed treatments include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), non-hormonal medical, and psychological treatment.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

The most well-known way to treat menopausal symptoms is hormone therapy. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help balance progesterone and estrogen levels during or near menopause. There are also many reasons that a doctor may prescribe sex hormone supplements. HRT, also known as menopausal hormone therapy, can help relieve hot flashes, sweating, and other menopausal symptoms. Some HRT types contain progesterone and estrogen, while others have only estrogen; sometimes, they also contain testosterone.

There are several ways to provide hormone therapy, and different types offer different combinations and amounts of hormones, the most common of which include:

Estrogen-only HRT: If a person has had their uterus and ovaries removed, the doctor may recommend this, in which case progesterone is unnecessary.
Cyclical, or sequential, HRT: If the premenopausal symptoms are bothersome, this can be a good option. Dosage can be in line with the menstrual cycle.
Continuous HRT: After menopause, your doctor may regularly prescribe a combination of estrogen and progesterone.
Local estrogen: Vaginal pills, creams, or rings can help with genital and urinary symptoms, including vaginal dryness and irritation.

The doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of medication to treat menopausal symptoms. Ways to provide HRT are:

Tablet
Cream
Gel
Vaginal rings
Skin patches

Non-hormonal medical treatment

Non-hormonal medical treatments that need to be prescribed by your doctor include clonidine, gabapentin, and Atenolol, which can reduce hot flashes. Clonidine is a drug used to treat high blood pressure and prevent migraine headaches. It is also a non-hormonal drug that has been shown to reduce menopausal hot flashes. Gabapentin and Atenolol may also help women who are menopausal and suffer from hot flashes. Usually, low-dose medications are started by your doctor. If they are not sufficient, the dose will be increased.

Psychological treatments

Approaching middle age often increases stress, anxiety, and fear. This can be attributed partly to physical changes, such as decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone. Flushing, sweating, and other menopausal symptoms may cause the disorder.

There may also be emotional changes, such as worrying about getting older, losing family members, or leaving children. Depression during menopause is a treatable disease. It is important to remember that there are several treatment options. Talk to your doctor to find out which options may be most effective.

Arjang Naim, MD, and his team offer the best treatment option for menopausal patients after a thorough examination.

Tips to reduce hot flashes and night sweats during menopause

If women experience hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause, sometimes simple steps may help, such as:

Wearing light clothing
Keeping the bedroom cool at night
Taking a cool shower
Using a fan or having a cold drink
Trying to reduce stress levels

Tips to reduce trouble falling asleep during menopause

During menopause, women may have trouble sleeping, and ways to reduce it include:

Go to bed at regular intervals
Relax before going to bed by reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath
Milk and peanuts contain tryptophan, which helps calm the body
Dark, quiet, and cool bedrooms are the conditions that support sleep
Use the bedroom only for sleep and sex
Avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day

Tips to reduce sexual discomfort during menopause

Menopause contributes to changes in sexual function by reducing ovarian hormone production and may lead to vaginal dryness and decreased sexual function. Methods that can help reduce this condition include:

Vaginal lubricants: These products are available without a prescription, reduce friction and ease intercourse when the vagina dries.
Vaginal Moisturizers: These over-the-counter products are also available. In women with mild vaginal atrophy, they improve or maintain vaginal moisture. They also help keep the vaginal pH low, creating a healthy environment for the vagina. These products can be used regularly and have a more lasting effect than vaginal lubricants.
Regular sexual arousal: Women can maintain vaginal health through regular sexual activity that increases blood flow to the genital area.

The bottom line

Menopause is the natural cessation or cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycle and marks the end of fertility. Most women experience menopause at age 52, but pelvic or ovarian damage can cause sudden menopause early in life. Genetics or underlying conditions can also lead to the early onset of menopause. In many women, the symptoms of menopause in the years before menopause are usually hot flashes and night sweats. Symptoms can last for four years or more after menopause.

If the symptoms are severe or affect the quality of life, it may be necessary to use hormone therapy treatments. In general, menopausal symptoms can be controlled or reduced using natural remedies and lifestyle changes.

Additional questions

What is menopause insomnia like?

A decrease in estrogen causes menopausal symptoms, from hot flashes and sweating to anxiety and depressed mood, causing sleep disturbances. Anxiety leads to difficulty falling asleep, and depression leads to non-restorative sleep and early morning awakening.

What are the symptoms of heart attacks in women?

Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or upper belly discomfort
Shortness of breath
Pain in one or both arms
Nausea or vomiting
Sweating
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Unusual fatigue
Heartburn

What causes poor vitamin D absorption?

Don’t absorb enough vitamin D from food
Don’t get enough exposure to sunlight
The liver or kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form
Take medicines that interfere with your body’s ability to convert or absorb vitamin D