Menopausal complaints - the most important questions

Menopausal complaints - what is that?

Between the ages of 45 and 60, the ovaries begin to reduce the production of hormones: ovulation no longer occurs every cycle, so the rule comes earlier, sometimes later, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. Often there are also inter-bleedings. For ten to fifteen years, the childbearing ability diminishes more and more until the woman finally can not have any more children - this period is called menopause.

Physicians also use the term menopause for menopause, which means turning point. Menopause is not a disease, but the hormonal changes are often associated with discomfort that is annoying and unpleasant for those affected.

Who gets menopausal symptoms?

Every woman comes into menopause at some point. One in four has no complaints, the rest suffers more or less from the hormonal changes in the body and their consequences. Whom it is and why, little research has been done so far. It is clear, however, that the extent of the complaints is familial.

Which complaints should make me sit up?

Nearly every second woman suffers from hot flashes and sweats during menopause. They occur mainly on the face, neck and upper body and are often accompanied by palpitations. Many women find it difficult to fall asleep at night and wake up frequently for nocturnal sweats. Sleep disorders are probably the reason that menopausal women often feel exhausted.

As the body does not produce as much estrogen, the mucous membranes of the vagina are less well supplied with blood and dry out. The consequences: It burns and itches, and sometimes it hurts in sex - a problem that occurs in three out of ten women. Also, the tissue of the bladder and pelvic floor is no longer so well blooded and relaxed - it can cause bladder inflammation and incontinence.

Many menopausal women also experience intense mood swings: they feel irritable and aggressive, nervous and quickly exhausted or very depressed.

How does the doctor determine if I am affected by menopausal symptoms?

When the symptoms start, women of the appropriate age usually know the cause themselves. If the menstruation stops, the doctor first checks whether the woman is pregnant. A blood test helps determine which phase of the menopause the woman is in.

How can you treat menopausal symptoms?

For women who have massive ailments, hormone replacement therapy (HET) comes into question. Usually, women receive combination therapy with estrogen plus at least ten days a month of progestin. Pure estrogen therapy is only advisable if the woman has already had the uterus removed - otherwise the risk of uterine cancer increases. Most of the hormones are given in tablet form. But even a hormone treatment with patches, suppositories, gels, sprays or syringes is possible.

Hormone therapy can eliminate or at least alleviate the full range of menopausal symptoms; Especially for hot flashes and sweats efficacy is well documented. An effect occurs after four to eight weeks, it often comes to bleeding, which is usually similar, and the chest tenses or swells. Hopes that hormone therapy could protect against heart disease and dementia have been disappointed by new studies. Rather, the current state of research suggests that hormone therapy can have serious side effects: it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, breast cancer and strokes.

It makes sense to use hormone replacement therapy, especially for women whose quality of life is very distressed, and when menopause begins prematurely after removal of the ovaries and there is a rapid decline in hormones.

Are there also gentle remedies for menopausal symptoms?

Basically, you can just wait for the symptoms to subside by itself - but this takes several years. Also, a change in lifestyle, such as more sports, brings relief. In addition, alternative medicine offers a variety of means and procedures suitable to alleviate especially mild menopausal symptoms - but the benefits are often controversial.

For example, valerian helps with insomnia, melissa relaxes and St. John's wort has a mood-enhancing effect. Black cohosh has been shown to work well in hot flashes, but can damage the liver. However, herbal remedies only work if they are taken continuously for several weeks.Soy and red clover contain estrogen-like substances; Although the effectiveness of these preparations is not scientifically proven, many women are convinced that they help them.

Aromatherapy recommends bergamot for mood swings, lavender for relaxation and cypress for hot flashes. In homeopathy Sepia, Lachesis and Graphites are used against hot flashes and Pulsatilla for mood swings. Autogenic training, Qi Gong and meditation can help women to regain inner balance.

How can I protect myself?

The menopause can not be prevented - to accept that is the best possible protection. Because the more relaxed women look forward to the menopause, the fewer complaints they have, that's proven. Women who live healthily, move regularly, sleep well enough and eat a balanced diet have fewer problems with the transition to the new phase of life.