New trends and treatments in menopause care

If you’re in your 40s and menstruating, you may already be feeling the effects of menopause: the point in life at which your menstrual cycle permanently stops, which happens around age 50 for most people. This hormonal change is accompanied by numerous symptoms, some of which are manageable with home care and others – such as severe mood swings, hot flashes or difficulty sleeping – which may require medical attention.

Menopause officially occurs when a year has passed since your last period. The two to eight years before, when periods become more irregular and fertility declines, is called perimenopause. Some people experience perimenopause in their 30s and others in their early 50s, but most reach perimenopause in their late 40s.

Menopause is a natural change in life, not a disease and not everyone needs treatment for it. Many people seek medical help to manage their symptoms. There are many new trends in menopause care, from hormones to medications to supplements and beyond, and it can be overwhelming to navigate them. What is safest when treating side effects? Should I purchase over-the-counter treatments or seek more comprehensive care from a healthcare provider – or both? Read on to get answers to these and other important questions about the best way to treat menopausal symptoms.

Is hormone therapy right for me?

Menopause occurs with every menstrual period and it is important to discuss any symptoms of menopause as they occur during your annual check-up with your GP. A gynecologist with specialized training or an interest in the transition from age 40 to age 55 is the ideal specialist to provide additional care and treatment, especially if you want to explore medical treatments such as hormone therapy.

Hormone therapy in the form of prescribed estrogen and progestin (both reproductive hormones that occur naturally in the body) has been used to treat menopause symptoms since the 1980s. A decline in estrogen levels is responsible for many menopausal symptoms. Therefore, returning estrogen to the body through hormone therapy helps relieve symptoms.

Not all menopausal people need hormone therapy, but it has numerous positive side effects, including relieving some symptoms and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a loss of bone density that can be made worse by the decrease in natural estrogen with age. These therapies can be administered in the form of a cream, a patch, or even low-dose birth control pills. However, hormone therapies may cause an increased risk of some types of cancer, including breast cancer.

Non-hormonal complementary medicine and lifestyle options

Non-hormonal options for treating menopausal symptoms are becoming increasingly popular and provide an alternative to hormone therapies. Some of these include:

• Be sure to consult your doctor before adding any new medications or supplements to your daily routine.
• There are also many popular and effective options for treating menopausal symptoms that come from the traditions of Eastern medicine and herbal medicine. These include acupuncture, which has been proven to help with hot flashes and night sweats, as well as herbal supplements, which often accompany treatment by a trained acupuncturist. A major disadvantage of acupuncture can be cost, as the treatment is rarely covered by insurance.

Mindful eating and regular exercise also have proven benefits in treating menopausal symptoms and keeping our bodies generally healthy as we age. This includes getting enough dietary vitamin D and calcium to keep bones strong when hormone levels change, and limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Challenges of care during menopause

Despite the advances that have been made in menopause treatment in recent years, there are still some major challenges you may face when treating menopause. This includes:

• Stigmatization of speaking openly about symptoms, particularly sexual side effects such as vaginal dryness and changes in libido, which can impact intimacy. It is important that you feel able to discuss any symptoms with your doctor.
• The increased availability of home tests for menopause and perimenopause purchased online. While these tests can be helpful in showing a snapshot of your hormone levels on a given day, more information is needed to properly diagnose menopause and perimenopause, and at-home results can often be misinterpreted. It is best to conduct these types of tests under the supervision of your provider, who can put them into the appropriate context.
• Finding the time necessary to diagnose and treat menopausal symptoms in a clinical setting can be difficult, especially because it often requires time and communication outside of an office setting to ensure diagnosis and properly treat symptoms. Finding a provider who specializes in menopause care will go a long way in speeding up this process and getting you the care you need.

Not everyone experiences menopause in the same way: for some people, the symptoms are so mild that home remedies meet their needs. But for those with more severe symptoms – or anyone hoping for clinical support during this challenging time – working closely with a gynecologist will provide relief and greater insight.

We are here to help

Contact one of our healthcare providers to learn more about your menopause care options. Make an appointment with us today!