“What are ways to deal with menopause?”
My sister is 48 years old and is starting menopause. She is having a lot of health issues due to her menopause. What are the ways in which she can effectively deal with this condition? She seems to be in a lot of discomfort even when she sleeps.
12 Answers
This is a complicated issue. She should see a practitioner well versed in the change of life issues
Should consider hormonal therapy, which is effective. And see a gynecologist to explain to you the different types of hormone dosage, how long, and any side effects.
I’m not sure what issues she is having, but multiple over-the-counter preparations are available. Most contain black cohosh as the primary active ingredient.
If no, better she should see a gynecologist.
If no, better she should see a gynecologist.
If she is still menstruating, cycling with compounded bioidentical progesterone can be like a miracle. I have my compounding pharmacist make 50mg SR capsules and my patients take it from day 12 -26 of their cycle (1st day of flow is day #1) 1cap x5 days, 2x5, 3x5. If no mense occurs, this may be the first sign that you are menopausal. Your GYN or a doctor specializing in natural hormone replacement can help.
You are going to have to be more specific regarding what of her health issues you are concerned with but a few thoughts.
1. Different patients mean different things when referring to starting menopause. By definition menopause if the total cessation periods while perimenopause is the typical year or so preceding menopause. Symptoms are different and treatments (if needed) are different.
2. Specific symptoms? Hot spells,night sweats, sleep disruption, libido issues, atrophy or dryness issues etc. There are so many symptoms with different treatment options that a detailed discussion is just not possible in this forum. I would suggest she speak to her health care provider and determine what is perimenopause/menopause related and what might be an indicator of some other health issue.
1. Different patients mean different things when referring to starting menopause. By definition menopause if the total cessation periods while perimenopause is the typical year or so preceding menopause. Symptoms are different and treatments (if needed) are different.
2. Specific symptoms? Hot spells,night sweats, sleep disruption, libido issues, atrophy or dryness issues etc. There are so many symptoms with different treatment options that a detailed discussion is just not possible in this forum. I would suggest she speak to her health care provider and determine what is perimenopause/menopause related and what might be an indicator of some other health issue.
There are several options to help your sister. However, she would need to see her gyn to determine if she is a candidate for hormone replacement or other medical treatments. Stay well....
Menopause is usually not that intrusive on women's health, but there again everyone handles things differently.
First, she should have a thorough hands-on physical exam by her doctor with all the appropriate lab work, including a complete hormone study of estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, etc. Make sure she sees someone that has an interest in menopausal management and not just a casual "everything must be ok" attitude. She may need various treatment modalities, from thyroid replacement to female hormones to electrolyte replacement, along with any other physiological abnormalities that may be found abnormal upon completion of her evaluation.
There is no simple over-the-counter for menopause.
First, she should have a thorough hands-on physical exam by her doctor with all the appropriate lab work, including a complete hormone study of estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, etc. Make sure she sees someone that has an interest in menopausal management and not just a casual "everything must be ok" attitude. She may need various treatment modalities, from thyroid replacement to female hormones to electrolyte replacement, along with any other physiological abnormalities that may be found abnormal upon completion of her evaluation.
There is no simple over-the-counter for menopause.
I am a proponent of bio-identical hormones. Have her find a good bio-identical hormone provider close to her.
Healthy diet and exercise is the solution. Please do not run after medications.
Needs to have hormonal tests done and then decide how to treat her symptoms so that she can feel better
The best thing for your sister is to see her gyne to discuss this in detail. Depending on her risk factors and the intensity of her symptoms there are multiple medication options to help. On a more natural note, changes in diet like avoiding spicy food, caffeine, alcohol helps. Physical activity helps too
The best, fastest and easiest way for your sister to get relief would be to get her hormone levels checked and discuss hormone replacement with her doctor if indicated. Please have her make appt with her GYN or a doctor that specializes in HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
