Are you struggling with hot flashes, night sweats, or mood swings? If so, you’re not alone. These are just a few of the common symptoms women experience during menopause, a natural process that marks the end of your reproductive years. Over 1 million women enter menopause every year, and many will experience symptoms that can be challenging to manage.
But there is good news: There are several ways to alleviate menopause symptoms and improve your quality of life. In this blog, our menopause experts at Serenity Women’s Care explore some of the most effective options.
Menopause and you
The best place to start managing menopause is understanding what you’re up against. In short, menopause occurs when your ovaries stop producing eggs, leading to a decrease in hormone levels. This can happen naturally as you age or due to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The different types of menopause include:
Perimenopause
This is the transition period before menopause when hormone levels start to decline. Perimenopause can last several years and typically begins in a woman’s 40s but can start earlier or later.
Menopause
This is when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Typically, menopause occurs around age 51, but it can occur earlier or later.
Postmenopause
This is the period after menopause when a woman can no longer get pregnant. Postmenopause lasts for the rest of a woman’s life.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at some ways we help you manage menopause symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone therapy
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) is one of the most common treatments for menopause symptoms. It involves using synthetic hormones made from plant sources to rebalance your hormone levels. You can access BRT via pills, patches, creams, gels, or rings. Because they so closely mimic the hormones your body makes naturally, BHRTs come with minimal risk of side effects.
Vaginal health treatments
Some of the most frustrating side effects of menopause affect your vaginal health. Menopause can cause vaginal dryness, itchiness, and laxity — all of which impact your sex life and sexual well-being. We can recommend everything from basic lubricants to address dryness to high-tech treatments that tighten and restore your vaginal tissues.
Lifestyle changes
Changing your diet and exercise routine can also help alleviate menopause symptoms. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Regular exercise like walking, swimming, or yoga can help improve mood, reduce stress, and maintain bone density. We can also help you establish healthy sleeping habits, manage stress, quit smoking, and even strengthen your pelvic floor — all of which relieve frustrating menopause symptoms.
Alternative therapies
Several alternative therapies are effective in managing menopause symptoms. These include:
Acupuncture
This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow. Acupuncture helps reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
Herbal supplements
Some herbs, such as black cohosh, red clover, and soy, have been found to help alleviate menopause symptoms. It’s important to talk to us before taking any herbal supplements, as they can interact with other medications and have side effects.
Mind-body therapies
Meditation, yoga, tai chi, and other such practices may relieve stress, improve your mood, and reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
Helping us help you
Your first menopause consultation with us involves a detailed discussion about your symptoms and treatment goals. To prepare, you should:
- Make a note of all your symptoms
- List all medications, including herbal supplements
- Bring a notebook if you’d like to jot down the finer points of our conversation
- Prepare a list of questions
Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to make you feel more comfortable and help you remember all the information.
We’ll ask questions to better understand where you are in your menopause journey, such as:
- Are you still having periods?
- When was your last period?
- How frequent and severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything improve your symptoms?
- Does anything make your symptoms worse?
After your consultation, we create a treatment plan that suits your unique needs and goals.
Menopause can be a frustrating phase of life — but it doesn’t have to be. Call our friendly staff at 480-825-7941 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment at our Scottsdale, Arizona, office today.