Menopause can bring with it a number of negative effects and uncomfortable symptoms for some women.
The term menopause It indicates the cessation of menstruation and is a diagnosis that is made retrospectively, that is, we speak of menopause when one year has passed since the last period.
Menopause can bring with it a number of negative effects and uncomfortable symptoms for some women.
Some of the main ones are hot flashes and night sweats, changes in mood, vaginal drynessdiscomfort during sexual relations, and sleep problems.
Menopause is a natural process in a woman’s life and cannot be prevented.
However, and as explained by the Women’s CD center at Clínica Corachan, doctors Montserrat Manubens and María del Valle Fuenteswe will see that there are some strategies that can help reduce the intensity of symptoms and improve quality of life during this stage.
- “Following a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco consumption contribute to better coping with the symptoms of menopause,” according to Dr. Montserrat Manubens.
Some lifestyle measures and healthy habits can and should begin to be implemented long before you stop having your period, in the perimenopause stage, which is the period before menopause.
It is known, from different studies carried out, that genetics, general health, lifestyle and individual circumstances determine whether menopause is more or less uncomfortable, but there is no precise percentage that indicates how many women experience it. symptoms disabling during menopause, since this can depend on various factors.
However, – says Dr. María del Valle Fuentes – “some estimates indicate that approximately 25% of women experience intense symptoms that can affect their quality of life.”
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It is important to note that when these disabling symptoms occur, you should seek medical support to receive an appropriate diagnosis and consider treatment options that can relieve symptoms and improve your well-being.
Menopause is a natural process and the associated symptoms can vary in duration and intensity in each woman. In some cases, says Dr. Manubens, “these symptoms can disappear or decrease over time without the need for medical intervention. But this does not happen in all women and the experience of menopause can be different for each woman.
When these disabling symptoms occur, medical support should be sought to receive an appropriate diagnosis and consider treatment options.
In general, the symptoms of menopause do not depend on the age at which the woman has her last menstrual cycle.
However, women with early menopause (now called primary ovarian insufficiency) that occurs before the age of 40, or women with early menopause (occurs between 40-45 years) usually present more florid symptoms, they are women with greater risk of osteoporosis and coronary heart disease, so they should (if there is no medical contraindication) be offered hormonal treatment.
In any case -adds Dr. Manubens- “it is advisable seek advice from a professional for specific recommendations based on your individual situation.
Treatment
Treatment for the bothersome symptoms of menopause depends on the individual needs of each woman, the severity of the symptoms, whether she has additional diseases or any contraindications for one or another type of therapy.
Therefore, it cannot be generalized, and it is advisable to go to the doctor who, after a detailed assessment, will be able to provide each patient with personalized treatment options.
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The Women’s CD specialists at Clínica Corachan present some habits that can be followed to contribute to an improvement in symptoms:
- Maintain a healthy diet: A balanced, nutritious diet, low in cholesterol and rich in calcium, is important at all stages of life. These nutrients contribute to bone, hormonal and cardiovascular health.
- Eat a variety of foods dailysuch as vegetables, seasonal fruits (strawberries and red fruits), natural seeds and nuts, legumes and whole grains.
- Eat fish, eggsmoderate red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate consumption of ultra-processed foodsadded sugars and saturated fats of animal origin.
- Hydrate well
- Exercise regularly. It is recommended to perform a combination of cardiovascular exercises, strength training and flexibility exercises, variable for each woman depending on age, personal desire, previous training and pathology, if any, but walking is a good exercise, accessible to everyone, adaptable and By walking 30-45 minutes a day, we improve: bone mass, reduce hypertension, blood glucose, cholesterol, obesity and improve self-esteem and serenity
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumptionsince smoking and excessive drinking can increase the risk of menopause-related health complications, such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
- Maintain an adequate weight, because it helps reduce the risk of diseases related to obesity. To achieve a healthy weight, you must eat a balanced diet and be active.
- Take care of the mental health and managing stress, since emotional well-being is essential during menopause. Practicing stress management techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga, and seeking necessary emotional support can be beneficial.
As the Women’s CD specialists at Clínica Corachan state in conclusion, “with small changes we will live this new stage of life fully.”