Menopause is a stage which every woman is afraid of. However, every woman has to go through it at some point in life if she lives long enough. Contrary to the view many woman have concerning this stage, it is not an illness. Nevertheless, it may present with disturbing signs for some while others cruise through normally. Dealing with the accompanying symptoms may require slight lifestyle changes but some women may have been affected severely to require menopause medication.
In many instances, maintaining a regular schedule of exercising and eating balanced meals are all it takes to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, stay healthy and avert complications. However, if this does not work the woman may have to take depression drugs, blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure drugs or hormonal medications. The level of estrogen hormone in the body decreases considerably during this stage. Some conditions may also come up including Alzheimer disease, colon cancer, glaucoma, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Taking measures to reduce the risk of suffering from such diseases is by far the best approach.
Estrogen replacement therapy is the most effective technique for relieve of hot flashes. However, it needs thorough family and medical history taking in order to determine whether the person is fit to take this hormone. At times, if the related risk is not so great, it can be prescribed in low doses. For those who have not undergone hysterectomy, progestin has to be taken along with the estrogen. This hormone also prevents loss of bone density and cardiovascular diseases.
The next troublesome issue after hot flashes is vaginal dryness. This will make the woman avoid sexual intercourse because of the pain and sometimes it may mean painful urination. This can be relieved easily by application of vaginal creams to soften the vaginal walls.
Mood swings are also common during this stage. Antidepressant medications may have to be prescribed in case other options have failed to address this. Medications in the SSRIs class of antidepressants are commonly used in this kind of mood disorder. It is fit for use by those women who cannot tolerate estrogen or are barred from using it due to medical issues.
Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medication which has been cleared to treat hot flashes associated with menopause. It is also recommended for those women who are not fit to take estrogen in relieve of hot flashes or those who suffer from migraines.
Osteoporosis can have far-reaching consequences and the fact that it is very common in women who are in this stage makes it necessary for physicians to be very serious in dealing with it. The leading factor in its development is decline in estrogen level and the women who had inadequate bone mass before are hardly hit. Its management requires a number of approaches including taking a diet high in calories and protein, vitamin D and calcium. Cessation of cigarette smoking is also recommended and those who take alcohol should stop.
Before the treatment plan is put in place, the woman and her doctor have to engage in discussions on the options at hand. The benefits and risks of each of the option have to be considered. The technique chosen has to be reviewed every year to determine the changes to be incorporated if any.
In many instances, maintaining a regular schedule of exercising and eating balanced meals are all it takes to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, stay healthy and avert complications. However, if this does not work the woman may have to take depression drugs, blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure drugs or hormonal medications. The level of estrogen hormone in the body decreases considerably during this stage. Some conditions may also come up including Alzheimer disease, colon cancer, glaucoma, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Taking measures to reduce the risk of suffering from such diseases is by far the best approach.
Estrogen replacement therapy is the most effective technique for relieve of hot flashes. However, it needs thorough family and medical history taking in order to determine whether the person is fit to take this hormone. At times, if the related risk is not so great, it can be prescribed in low doses. For those who have not undergone hysterectomy, progestin has to be taken along with the estrogen. This hormone also prevents loss of bone density and cardiovascular diseases.
The next troublesome issue after hot flashes is vaginal dryness. This will make the woman avoid sexual intercourse because of the pain and sometimes it may mean painful urination. This can be relieved easily by application of vaginal creams to soften the vaginal walls.
Mood swings are also common during this stage. Antidepressant medications may have to be prescribed in case other options have failed to address this. Medications in the SSRIs class of antidepressants are commonly used in this kind of mood disorder. It is fit for use by those women who cannot tolerate estrogen or are barred from using it due to medical issues.
Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medication which has been cleared to treat hot flashes associated with menopause. It is also recommended for those women who are not fit to take estrogen in relieve of hot flashes or those who suffer from migraines.
Osteoporosis can have far-reaching consequences and the fact that it is very common in women who are in this stage makes it necessary for physicians to be very serious in dealing with it. The leading factor in its development is decline in estrogen level and the women who had inadequate bone mass before are hardly hit. Its management requires a number of approaches including taking a diet high in calories and protein, vitamin D and calcium. Cessation of cigarette smoking is also recommended and those who take alcohol should stop.
Before the treatment plan is put in place, the woman and her doctor have to engage in discussions on the options at hand. The benefits and risks of each of the option have to be considered. The technique chosen has to be reviewed every year to determine the changes to be incorporated if any.
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