Signs of Menopause, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

Menopause is not a disease; it is a natural physiological process that marks the end of the fertile period in women. On average, menopause begins in your 50s. However, every woman can go through her menopause earlier or later. Therefore there is early menopause which occurs around the age of 40, whereas late menopause may start after 55 years.

Heredity also plays an essential role in this process, so the age at which other women in your family have gone through menopause can influence your start date. Your Women’s health in Lady Lake specialist handles women’s health issues, including reproductive and menopause. Here are the signs of menopause, risk factors, and treatment.

Warning Signs

Very often, different symptoms precede menopause at least over 4 to 5 years earlier. However, at least 2 to 3 years before menopause, you will enter the perimenopause stage, where the ovaries secrete hormones and release the eggs irregularly.

You can experience some symptoms which can affect you physically and emotionally. Quite often, menopause manifests in other symptoms that can be felt at the onset.

Change in the Menstrual Cycle

The first notable sign is irregularities in your periods. You may experience lighter or heavy periods, and at times they may be too close or many days apart. Other times, they may disappear for several months only to come back suddenly.

General Discomfort

At the dawn of menopause, you may start experiencing hot flashes and night sweats, leading to discomfort. You may also suffer from vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Some women may have recurrent urogenital infections.

You may experience pain in the joints and a feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. Other signs include sudden weight gain and hair loss.

Emotional Problems

Many women have emotional disorders during menopause. For example, you may have insomnia or lack of sleep. Other symptoms include mood disorders, irritability, anxiety, and depression. In the worst cases, you have difficulty remembering events or concentrating.

Every person is different and varies in each woman. However, some women do not experience any symptoms. If you feel that these symptoms interfere with your quality of life, you can seek professional help like bywinona.com.

Menopause and Contraception

Taking hormonal contraception that contains estrogen may mask the onset of menopausal symptoms, especially if it is high in dosage. To find out if you are postmenopausal, a blood test with your gynecologist will detect the level of FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone. Depending on the results of this test, your gynecologist will be able to determine whether it is still helpful or not to continue your contraception.

Is There Treatment for Menopause?

Menopause is a biological stage that every woman must pass. As such, there is no treatment; however, your doctor may prescribe a particular medication to soothe the symptoms. In addition, hormone replacement therapy can help in balancing your hormones.

If you are experiencing the above symptoms, you can try home remedies for quick relief. However, if they persist, contact the specialists at Integrated Family Medical Center for consultation and treatment.