What Are Some of the Worst Menopause Symptoms?

Menopause treatment might be needed if you are struggling with some of your symptoms. It marks the end of your menstrual cycles, and it is diagnosed after you have gone an entire year without a menstrual period. Menopause tends to start around the ages of 40 to 50.

All women go through menopause, and it can come with emotional symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. Other symptoms include low energy, sleep disorders, and hot flashes. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to address the symptoms of menopause, from hormone therapy to lifestyle changes.

Symptoms that might require menopause treatment

Menopause affects women differently, so some symptoms are worse for some. These include symptoms that start leading up to menopause, like:

• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular periods
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair
• Diminished breast fullness
• Weight gain

It is common to miss periods during perimenopause, but periods typically resume after a few months. The length of time between periods might also shorten so periods are closer to each other. Pregnancy is still possible at this stage, so missing a period can still be a sign of pregnancy if the woman is sexually active.

Some of the worst symptoms that occur post-menopause include:

• Heart and cardiovascular disease: Estrogen levels drop after menopause, increasing a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women and men. Simple things like maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise can help to protect the heart. These lifestyle changes help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Osteoporosis: One of the worst symptoms of menopause that might require menopause treatment is the rapid loss of bone density that takes place the first few years after menopause. This increases a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis and makes them more vulnerable to fractures of the wrists, hips, and spine
• Urinary incontinence: Menopause can lead to tissues in the urethra and vagina losing elasticity, leading to powerful, frequent urges to urinate. It can also lead to urine trickling when lifting heavy objects, laughing, or coughing. Exercises that strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor like Kegels and topical estrogen products can be used to combat this. Hormone therapy can also be used to treat urinary issues caused by menopause
• Vaginal dryness: This is caused by the lack of elasticity and increased vaginal dryness that comes as a result of menopause. The condition can lead to bleeding and discomfort during intercourse, and it can lower a woman's desire for sex. Water-based lubricants can be used to combat the dryness caused by menopause.
• Weight gain: Some women gain significant amounts of weight when transitioning through menopause due to their reduced metabolism. Exercising more and eating less can help to maintain weight during this period

Life goes on after menopause

Menopause brings an end to a woman’s period, and it can lower the quality of her life if the symptoms are not properly managed. Call us or visit our Fresno to learn more about ways to get past the symptoms of menopause.

Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 425-1118 for an appointment in our Fresno office.

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