According to a 2018 study of Indian women around 50 years old, about 47% experienced menopausal symptoms. Typical symptoms of menopause include vaginal dryness, mood swings, weak bones and poor sexual drive. All of them can be treated with medical care for women. So, consult your gynaecologist before choosing any menopause treatment. Here is everything about how to effectively relieve menopausal symptoms.
Menopause Treatment
- Menopausal hormone therapy
This is also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It provides oestrogen to make up for its deficit in your body with the onset of menopause. It helps in relieving menopausal signs like night sweats and hot flushes and comes in the form of implants, a gel to apply on your skin, skin patches or tablets.
The therapy can be of two types. Oestrogen-only HRTis recommended if your uterus was removed during a hysterectomy. Combined HRT supplies both progesterone and oestrogen and is recommended if you still have your uterus intact. If you otherwise take oestrogen on its own, it may increase your risk of uterine cancer. However, seek your doctor’s medical advice before requesting for HRT. You may have certain side effects like vaginal bleeding, headaches, and breast tenderness. Rarely, there may be blood clotting or breast cancer.
- Complementary and alternative treatments
If you wish to try these therapies, consult your gynaecologist. They often include natural remedies like bioidentical hormones and herbal cure. But you may have side effects if they react with any of your medicines. Hence, without any evidence about their effectiveness and safety, they are not usually recommended for menopausal symptoms.
- Follow-up visits
If you’re receiving menopause treatment, you may need another check-up after three months. After this, continue with yearly follow-up appointments. These can ensure that your symptoms of menopause are well-managed. The gynaecologist can also check any bleeding patterns or side effects, high blood pressure, weight, the kind of HRT being used and when and how to stop treatment safely.
Symptoms of Menopause and Ways to Manage Them
- Vaginal dryness
Your gynaecologist may recommend oestrogen therapy with a vaginal ring, cream or pessary to treat vaginal dryness or itching. You usually won’t have side effects but when your therapy stops, signs may return. If your gynaecologist agrees, you can also try over-the-counter vaginal lubricants or moisturisers and combined HRT.
- Mood swings
Try relaxing techniques like yoga, therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or HRT and antidepressants with your gynaecologist’s advice.
- Weak bones
Exercise regularly, stop alcohol consumption and smoking. Follow a calcium-rich diet and bask in the sun to get enough vitamin D for bone health. Ask your gynaecologist if you can take vitamin D and calcium supplements.
- Less sexual drive
If your gynaecologist allows, try testosterone supplements if HRT cannot help. However, there can be side effects like hirsutism (undesired hair growth) and acne.
If your menopause has arrived and its symptoms are bothering you, visit the best gynaecologist in Bangalore for suitable menopause treatment.