Going through “The Change” is a fact of life as a woman. We watched as our mothers frantically fanned themselves over dinner or stood in front of an open fridge, desperate to cool a hot flash. This is widely referred to as menopause, though that is not exactly right.
Menopause is defined as the point in time 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual cycle. The time before you have “hit menopause” is called perimenopause, and can for last for years. Fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone create a wide array of annoying symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, brain fog or memory loss, weight gain, trouble sleeping and even hair loss. One of the most common complaints is changes in your period, with some months being exceedingly heavy and significantly irregular. It is important to note that just because you have not had a period in a few months, you are still able to conceive—if you do not want more kids, continue using birth control precautions until you are fully menopausal.
As perimenopause can last for anywhere from one to 14 years, with an average of 4-7 being typical, there are several ways to combat these symptoms. We spoke with Dr. Ben Barenberg of Optimal Health in OKC about what options are available.
Barenberg, a fellowship-trained urogynecologist, often sees women complaining of these troubles and starts with reviewing their medical history and symptoms, then drawing a comprehensive lab panel. When finding that hormones are deficient, Barenberg said, “There are both hormonal and naturopathic options available for women seeking relief from menopause. If symptoms are mild, there are OTC supplements. For those with more severe symptoms, hormone replacement or hormone supplementation therapy can make a huge difference.”
There are many options when it comes to regulating your hormones, and physicians like Barenberg are there to help guide the decision based on your individual needs. Treatment may be dictated for those who have risk factors such as cardiac or breast cancer. Barenberg noted, “For the majority of women, we consult with the patient on which application technique fits best. With approaches like pills, patches or creams, we want to make sure their lifestyle accommodates daily application. For those who prefer less frequent dosing or tend to forget their medications, we use options such as pellets.”
After you have had a year with no periods and are considered fully menopausal, you may wish to continue the hormone replacement therapy (HRT). “The body is dynamic and changes constantly, even post-menopause,” Barenberg said. “I have patients follow up two times a year to check in on symptoms and adjust medications if necessary. My philosophy, and the philosophy of many doctors working with these women, is that we leave patients on HRT for as long as they desire with regular blood monitoring. It is important to continue routine well-women exams to keep an eye on pelvic and breast health.”
Barenberg reminds women that, “While menopause is a natural part of aging, you do not have to suffer through the symptoms. There are options available to help you stay looking and feeling your best. I shoot for ‘Optimal Health.”
Side Bar:
Feeling Dry? As estrogen lowers, a common side effect is vaginal dryness. Talk to your doctor about adding a topical vaginal estrogen cream to plump up these tissues, and use a water- or silicone-based lubricant for intercourse. For daily moisture, consider Intimate Rose’s (intimaterose.com) Vaginal Balm to keep that area feeling hydrated. Pro tip: Use code word LAVINIA to save $5 on its website.
