Dealing with and treating menopause

Menopause can be a difficult phase to go through for any woman. Aside from the thought of dealing with physical and emotional changes, menopause has been a cause of unnecessary confusion and worry to those who are nearing this specific phase because they don’t know how to deal with other symptoms.

Characterized by the end of menstruation period, menopause affects every woman differently just like in various biological changes. Common menopausal symptoms include changes in period patterns, hot flushes, night sweats usually followed by a chill, altered sleeping patterns or troubled sleeps, vaginal atrophy or vaginal dryness, thinning, or itching, depression, mood swings and emotional fluctuations, confusion or inability to focus on things and carrying out tasks, and hair loss or growth on unlikely areas such as the face.

Menopause may also cause more serious health problems such as obesity, osteoporosis, and heart attack in the long run if not paid attention. Make sure that you know and are well aware of other menopausal symptoms so you can understand it fully.

PROPOSED TREATMENT AND ALTERNATIVES

If you are one of those who are nearing menopausal years, educating yourself on how you can mange the symptoms and the effects of menopause can help you start living your life in harmony.

Experts suggest that eating a healthy diet along with regular exercise during menopausal years is effective to cope up and treat these symptoms. But if you think you can no longer handle the symptoms of menopause, then it is now time to seek for professional help or treatment to help you out.

Studies show that the need of women to seek for professional help varies on her need and emotional stability. Experts say that although many menopausal women do not really need special treatments for menopause, there are those who need it to overcome their difficulties.

For those women who are thinking of getting a treatment, there are various menopausal treatments available today. Since there is no single treatment that sits down well to all women, it is best if you consult your physician first before getting any of these treatments.

By doing this, you can ask your doctor to discuss with you the treatments that can be perfect for you. The following are the most popular menopause available today.

1. Hormone therapy (HT) or Hormone Therapy Replacement (HRT) is one of the most popular menopausal treatments today. Undergoing through this treatment will reduce and relieve menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flushes and night sweats. Recent studies have warranted special caution in using HRT as they may be associated with an increase in heart problems.

Experts agree that HT/HRT should be taken at the beginning of menopause because it can be an effective solution to bone loss or osteoporosis because it can increase bone density by around five percent in two years and can even reduces the risk of spinal fractures by 40 percent.

A follow up after the menopausal years is as equally important to ensure the maximum effect of the therapy.

Experts say that HT is not recommended for the prevention of heart or bone disease, stroke, and memory loss. And since there many kinds of HTs, the best way to know which one is the best for you is by consulting so he/she can suggest what’s most suitable type for you.

2. Bisphosphonates, on the other hand helps the renewal of bone cells that are constantly being broken down. This treatment prevents bone loss by hindering the breakdown process. Although this is effective in preventing osteoporosis, experts warns the interested patients to brace for side effects like gastrointestinal upsets.

Today, the most commonly used bisphosphonates include Fosamax, Actonel and Didrocal that should be taken daily or weekly.

3. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) is also one of the popular treatments because it supplies the natural estrogen of the body. Patients must look out for the potential side effects of SERMs that may include hot flushes and vein coagulation.

Other effective menopause treatment include Tibolone (Livial) therapy, parathyroid therapy, Vitamin D and calcium supplements and “Bioidentical” hormone therapy.
Overall, nothing replaces good healthy living habits like exercising regularly, eating well and relaxing,