What is menopause? Signs, symptoms and treatment options explained

Menopause is a time in life when a woman’s cycle starts to change, and the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilization resulting in lowering levels of estrogen. While most women will start to notice menopausal changes in their forties and fifties, the average age of menopause is 51. For menopause to occur, a woman must not have had a period for a full year.

Menopause symptoms in women

Menopause is caused by a shift in hormones, typically estrogen and progesterone levels produced by the body. It’s these hormone levels that cause symptoms of menopause. One of the first changes women may notice is a change in her menstrual cycle. Changes in cycle include the length between cycles, spotting and the heaviness of periods.

Other common symptoms include:

• Hot flashes, nigh sweats and sleeplessness
• Vaginal dryness and a decrease in libido
• Changes in weight, mood and energy

Menopause treatment

Women have different experiences of menopause and because of that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. However, there are three common treatment options for symptoms of menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

HRT replaces the estrogen, progesterone and (in some cases) testosterone lost during menopause. While it’s a great option for some, several common conditions can disqualify a person from using HRT.

Supplements

While supplements aren’t for everybody there are some that can help alleviate symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh, for example, may help with hot flashes and night sweats.

Menopause can also impact your bone density, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D: whether that’s as a part of your diet or by taking supplements.

Before taking any supplements, we recommend speaking with a doctor to make sure they don’t interact with any other medication.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Some doctors may also recommend SSRIs as part of a treatment plan. SSRIs are a group of medications developed to treat depression that can also lessen the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats.

Because women’s experience of menopause is unique, we recommend contacting your doctor to discuss your symptoms and create a treatment plan that will meet your needs.

Betsey Steimel, FNP-C, is a certified nurse practitioner specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, and she has an office on the campus of Progress West Hospital.