At Medi-Gyn, we offer Modern Menopause Management Programme to all our patients in perimenopause and menopause. We also call it menoSTART – as we believe in self-rediscovery and re-invention at any stage of our life.
Following our Live about Bioidentical Hormone Therapy, we have also prepared for you the most frequently asked questions (“FAQ”) for you to find an answer you may be looking for:
- When does menopause occur?
On average, menopause occurs between ages 45 and 55. However, in today’s day and age some women may experience menopause much earlier due to various factors such as environment, lifestyle, stress levels etc.
Menopause is defined as 12 months after a woman’s last period. The years leading up to a woman’s menopause, when a woman experiences changes in the monthly cycles, hot flashes and other symptoms, are called perimenopause – this period can start 10 years before your menopause i.e. at around 35.
- What are the common symptoms of menopause?
Hormonal changes that occur around menopause affect every woman differently. Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Mood changes
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Joint aches and pain
- Sexual problems
- When do the symptoms of menopause occur?
Menopause is a natural part of ageing and affects every woman differently. While some do not experience noticeable symptoms, others may go through every listed symptom of menopause. Menopausal symptoms usually occur between 45 to 55 years. Many women experience symptoms even several years after menopause.
- How long does menopause usually last?
Menopausal symptoms last around 7 years, but in some women, they may last for 14 years. The duration of menopause varies based on lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, race, and family history. At Medi-Gyn, we offer tailor-made treatments to help you manage your menopausal symptoms.
- Will having a hysterectomy cause menopause?
Women who have undergone a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) but still have their ovaries do not go into menopause. The removal of the uterus means the woman cannot have her periods or get pregnant. However, the ovaries are still producing hormones, resulting in other signs of menopause. Women who have undergone hysterectomy may reach menopause a year or two earlier than expected.
Women who undergo ovarian removal along with a hysterectomy reach menopause right after the procedure.
- Does menopause affect bone health?
Menopause does affect a woman’s bone health. A dip in oestrogen levels during menopause decreases bone density, which continues to decrease after menopause. Having a lower level of oestrogens also increases the risk of osteoporosis in women.
For healthy ageing before, during and after menopause, consult our experts at Medi-Gyn for our Modern Menopause Programme.
- Does menopause increase the risk of heart disease?
Menopause increases a woman’s risk for heart diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Ageing and a fall in oestrogen levels contribute to the increased risk. With age, women tend to gain weight and develop associated conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which further increase the risk of heart disease.
- How to manage vaginal dryness during menopause
One of the side effects of the fall in oestrogen levels during menopause is the gradual loss of vaginal lubrication, resulting in dryness. You can use lubricants and oils that can make sex more comfortable and enjoyable. In case of severe dryness, speak to your doctor about vaginal DHEA and oestrogen or hormone therapy.
- Can hormone therapy treat menopause symptoms?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) helps treat a wide range of hormonal imbalances in men and women. It is effective in relieving symptoms of moderate to severe menopause and helping achieve a state of equilibrium in the body. However, hormone therapy is not for everyone, and our experts at Medi-Gyn will perform a complete assessment before recommending this treatment to you.
- Who needs hormone therapy for menopause?
Hormone therapy for menopause is recommended for women who are 60 or younger, are experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness along with other symptoms, and whose last menstrual period was 10 years ago. Do you need hormone therapy for menopause? Book a consultation with our experts today.
- What hormone therapy do we use for the management of menopause symptoms?
At Medi-Gyn, we offer bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). In this treatment, hormones similar to those produced by the body are used, making it an excellent treatment for managing hormonal imbalance symptoms.
Interested to know more about BHRT? Learn more about the Modern Menopause Programme.
- Does menopause affect sex drive?
The fluctuating hormones during menopause cause vaginal dryness and loss of libido. This also makes sex very painful to the woman. Due to the pain, many women do not find sex as exciting anymore. You can use vaginal lubricants and moisturisers to make sex more fun and exciting.
- Do I still need Pap tests and mammograms after menopause?
Women up to 65 years old are recommended to undergo a PAP smear unless they have a strong risk for cervical cancer. Women with a low risk for breast cancer can stop undergoing mammograms at 75.
Speak to our gynaecologists to know if you need a Pap smear or mammogram.
