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Menopause

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JLP_Boston

This document provides information about menopause and peri-menopause. It defines peri-menopause as the transitional period before menopause when a woman's periods start to change as her estrogen levels decline. Menopause occurs when periods have stopped for at least one year. Common symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and difficulty sleeping. The handout recommends regular medical checkups, lifestyle changes like exercise and diet, and discusses hormone therapy and other options to reduce menopause risks and discomforts.

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Patient Handout All About Menopause What are peri-menopause and menopause? Difficulty breathing during sleep Peri-menopause is the transitional time period before menopause occurs, Urinary tract infections when a woman still gets her period, but starts to experience changes in her men- strual cycle and some symptoms of menopause. Peri-menopause usually begins How can you stay healthy during menopause? about 10 years before menopause. During peri-menopause, the amount of estro- Regular gynecological and medical checkups gen and progesterone, two essential hormones for women, gradually decreases. Annual blood work (to screen for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovas- Menopause is a natural part of aging that occurs when a womans menstrual cular disease, cancer and thyroid problems.) cycles have stopped for at least 1 year. Menopause occurs because the ovaries Annual mammogram, Pap smear, screening for vaginal infections and STDs stop producing estrogen and progesterone, or because the ovaries are removed Bone density test to assess bone density every 1-3 years. during hysterectomy. The average woman is 51 years old when this occurs. Consider a sleep study if your partner notices you snore at night or hears you having difficulty breathing in your sleep. What are the Symptoms Tests for growths or cancer in your colon: hemocult test to look for blood A woman in menopause may have none or several of these symptoms, in the stool; sigmoidoscopy every 5 years; colonoscopy every 10 years including: Regular sexual activity and/or masturbation; Kegel exercises, which are Hot 鍖ushes or 鍖ashes (a sudden experience of intense heat and possi- vaginal tightening exercises to prevent urine from leaking; and a lubricant for ble sweating in the upper body or face) sexual intercourse Vaginal dryness or burning Report to your healthcare provider any vaginal bleeding that occurs after Pain or discomfort with sexual intercourse your menstrual cycles have stopped for 1 year. Joint discomfort Problems sleeping Therapies to decrease risks, discomforts of menopause Mood swings or depression Hormone therapy can help decrease the risk of fractures from osteoporo- Urinating more often or feeling that you must urinate as soon as possible sis, as well as reduce hot 鍖ushes, vaginal dryness and discomfort, urinary dis- Difficulty controlling when you urinate (you may feel that you need to comfort, and the risk of colorectal cancer. wear a pad to catch any unexpected 鍖ow of urine) However, because hormone therapy can increase the risk of heart attack, Problems with memory strokes, blood clots, breast cancer and Alzheimers disease in women who have not had a hysterectomy, you need to discuss your own use of hormone (Cut along the dotted line and photocopy this helpful handout for your patients.) Possible Risks therapy with your healthcare provider. Obesity Other therapies that should be discussed with your healthcare provider Diabetes include: Osteopenia or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones that can increase risk Diet that includes a variety of green and yellow vegetables, 鍖sh, lean for bone fracture) meats, whole grains, dairy products, soy products and plenty of 鍖uids Osteoarthritis (a decrease in the amount of protective cartilage between Vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B, C, D, E, zinc, magnesium bones that may cause crackling sounds and pain in the joints) and calcium Cardiovascular risk, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke Decreased intake of caffeine, alcohol, concentrated sweets, fats, high- and blood clots cholesterol foods and red meat High LDL or bad cholesterol (a substance that carries fat in the blood A combination of aerobic, weight strengthening and 鍖exibility exercises vessels that may cause hardening of the arteries and can increase the risk for Weight management several diseases, including heart attack and stroke) Smoking cessation Memory loss Medications that increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures Increased risk for cancer, including breast, ovarian, uterine and colorectal Herbal remedies Psychotherapy for depression Communication with your partner about your feelings and sexuality The purpose of this patient education handout is to further explain or remind you about a medical condition. This handout is a general guide only. If you have speci鍖c questions, be Bobbie Posmontier is a certi鍖ed midwife and owner of Newtown Midwifery, sure to discuss them with your health care provider. This handout may be reproduced for distribution to patients. Huntingdon Valley, PA.

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Menopause

  • 1. Patient Handout All About Menopause What are peri-menopause and menopause? Difficulty breathing during sleep Peri-menopause is the transitional time period before menopause occurs, Urinary tract infections when a woman still gets her period, but starts to experience changes in her men- strual cycle and some symptoms of menopause. Peri-menopause usually begins How can you stay healthy during menopause? about 10 years before menopause. During peri-menopause, the amount of estro- Regular gynecological and medical checkups gen and progesterone, two essential hormones for women, gradually decreases. Annual blood work (to screen for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovas- Menopause is a natural part of aging that occurs when a womans menstrual cular disease, cancer and thyroid problems.) cycles have stopped for at least 1 year. Menopause occurs because the ovaries Annual mammogram, Pap smear, screening for vaginal infections and STDs stop producing estrogen and progesterone, or because the ovaries are removed Bone density test to assess bone density every 1-3 years. during hysterectomy. The average woman is 51 years old when this occurs. Consider a sleep study if your partner notices you snore at night or hears you having difficulty breathing in your sleep. What are the Symptoms Tests for growths or cancer in your colon: hemocult test to look for blood A woman in menopause may have none or several of these symptoms, in the stool; sigmoidoscopy every 5 years; colonoscopy every 10 years including: Regular sexual activity and/or masturbation; Kegel exercises, which are Hot 鍖ushes or 鍖ashes (a sudden experience of intense heat and possi- vaginal tightening exercises to prevent urine from leaking; and a lubricant for ble sweating in the upper body or face) sexual intercourse Vaginal dryness or burning Report to your healthcare provider any vaginal bleeding that occurs after Pain or discomfort with sexual intercourse your menstrual cycles have stopped for 1 year. Joint discomfort Problems sleeping Therapies to decrease risks, discomforts of menopause Mood swings or depression Hormone therapy can help decrease the risk of fractures from osteoporo- Urinating more often or feeling that you must urinate as soon as possible sis, as well as reduce hot 鍖ushes, vaginal dryness and discomfort, urinary dis- Difficulty controlling when you urinate (you may feel that you need to comfort, and the risk of colorectal cancer. wear a pad to catch any unexpected 鍖ow of urine) However, because hormone therapy can increase the risk of heart attack, Problems with memory strokes, blood clots, breast cancer and Alzheimers disease in women who have not had a hysterectomy, you need to discuss your own use of hormone (Cut along the dotted line and photocopy this helpful handout for your patients.) Possible Risks therapy with your healthcare provider. Obesity Other therapies that should be discussed with your healthcare provider Diabetes include: Osteopenia or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones that can increase risk Diet that includes a variety of green and yellow vegetables, 鍖sh, lean for bone fracture) meats, whole grains, dairy products, soy products and plenty of 鍖uids Osteoarthritis (a decrease in the amount of protective cartilage between Vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B, C, D, E, zinc, magnesium bones that may cause crackling sounds and pain in the joints) and calcium Cardiovascular risk, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke Decreased intake of caffeine, alcohol, concentrated sweets, fats, high- and blood clots cholesterol foods and red meat High LDL or bad cholesterol (a substance that carries fat in the blood A combination of aerobic, weight strengthening and 鍖exibility exercises vessels that may cause hardening of the arteries and can increase the risk for Weight management several diseases, including heart attack and stroke) Smoking cessation Memory loss Medications that increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures Increased risk for cancer, including breast, ovarian, uterine and colorectal Herbal remedies Psychotherapy for depression Communication with your partner about your feelings and sexuality The purpose of this patient education handout is to further explain or remind you about a medical condition. This handout is a general guide only. If you have speci鍖c questions, be Bobbie Posmontier is a certi鍖ed midwife and owner of Newtown Midwifery, sure to discuss them with your health care provider. This handout may be reproduced for distribution to patients. Huntingdon Valley, PA.