The Challenges Faced During Menopause

Menopause is a very individualized experience. It is a normal stage of life that all middle-aged women must experience at some point. It is not a disease that needs to be cured, but a natural life-stage transition. It is a stage which comes in every woman's life. Menopause is simply a stage in a woman's life where the body stops menstruation.

Symptoms that accompany menopause vary in severity. They may come and go, and more may develop, as the process of menopause progresses. They are most related to the drop in the hormone estrogen at menopause. Flashes can come on at any time, day or night and they vary greatly in frequency and severity.

Symptoms can also include: irritability, mood swings, fatigue, memory lapses, trouble sleeping and more. They may also include memory and concentration issues, mood swings, weight gain, painful intercourse, depression and anxiety.

Women are known to be in their pre-menopause period when they are in their mid-thirties. They are beginning to realize that menopause is more than a physical change. They can take medication to help treat or prevent some of the bone problems that can occur during menopause. Many may be prone towards depression during menopause. They will differ in their experience of peri-mnopause, menopause, and post-menopause. They may experience a decline in physical function during menopause. Women are more susceptible to developing coronary heart disease upon the onset of menopause. Women are post-menopause when they have not had a period for 12 months.

Women are told that HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can prevent heart disease but excess estrogen is cardiotoxic. Many physicians do not like to prescribe HRT anymore due to the potential medical problems they can cause (such as Cancer, stroke, etc).

Women that exercise, may prevent heart disease and are less likely to have hot-flashes, bone loss, stress, and depression. They can reduce their risk of heart disease by not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting exercise. They are at increased risk for osteoporosis, and risk increases after menopause. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.

Another option is using natural bio identical hormones-and many find this a great alternative. As a matter of fact, many claim that using them keeps them feeling and looking younger. The only down side to this, is that the women continue to have a monthly period (although they are no longer fertile, and will not get pregnant).

You will more than likely have to find a doctor that specializes in this, as it is still relatively new, and not all Endocrinologists know about it. You will need to be prepared to have blood tests done on a regular basis, as this will determine the strength and dosage of the medication that will be prescribed. These medications are made especially for you alone, and will need to be filled at a 'compounding' pharmacy. Your dosage may change as the hormones in your blood levels change (thus-the need for continued monitoring of your blood levels).

Medication is dispensed in several ways. It may be a lozenge (that melts on your tongue), a cream that you administer to a specific area of your body, or suppositories (that may be inserted vaginally). Be advised that if you smoke, or have health risk factors, you may not be a candidate for this therapy.

The only way to find out is to talk with a specialist in this area, and try it out. Many women claim that they feel like they did when they were in their 30's, and they have got back that 'spark' into their life that had been missing. Sex is once again enjoyable, and their energy levels have returned.