women s health issues
Menopause
Treatment of Menopause
Cognitive-behavioral therapy Clinical hypnosis Nonhormonal medications Hormone therapy Understanding what happens during perimenopause can help women cope with the symptoms. Talking with other women who have gone through menopause or with a doctor may also help. Treatment of menopause focuses on relieving symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep issues, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. Effective measures that do not involve hormones include Hypnosis by a qualified health care professional to help relieve hot flashes Cognitive-behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been adapted to be used during the menopause transition and postmenopause. It can help women manage hot flashes and night sweats. If such measures are not successful, Hormone Therapy for Menopause (estrogen, a progestogen, or both) may help. Progestogen refers to both synthetic and naturally occurring forms of In addition to treatment of menopausal symptoms, postmenopausal women should be Prevention if they meet the following criteria: High risk of bone fracture (for example, women with a family history of osteoporosis) History of Overview of Eating Disorders , a low body mass index (BMI), chronic corticosteroid use, Age 65 years or older General measures such as cooling methods (for example, using fans, wearing light clothing), avoiding triggers (such as alcohol or spicy food), and dietary changes may help some women. Mindfulness, exercise, or yoga may help with sleep or a general sense of well-being. However, research has had mixed results about all these general measures and they have not been proven to be effective, so many menopause experts do not recommend them. women can follow a routine to calm themselves before they go to bed and when night sweats wake them up. Developing Sleep hygiene and exercise can also help improve sleep. may be improved by Exercises . For these exercises, a woman tightens the pelvic muscles as if stopping urine flow. Women may be taught how to use biofeedback to help them learn to control their pelvic muscles. Limiting fluid intake at certain times—for example, before going out or 3 to 4 hours before bedtime Avoiding foods that irritate the bladder (such ascaffeine-containing fluids and spicy or salty foods) Ifvaginal drynessis uncomfortable or makes sexual intercourse painful, an over-the-counter vaginal lubricant may help. For some women, applying a vaginal moisturizer daily or a few times a week helps. Staying sexually active or masturbating also helps by stimulating blood flow to the vagina and the surrounding tissues and by keeping tissues flexible. Several types of medications can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with menopause. ) are somewhat effective at relieving hot flashes. Medications for depression may also help relieve depression, anxiety, and irritability. A Treatment is sometimes recommended to relieve insomnia. ), and cannabinoids. However, research has had mixed results about all of these general measures and they have not been proven to be effective, so many menopause experts do not recommend them. Also, such remedies are not regulated as prescription medications are, so there are no requirements regarding reporting of accurate and complete information about safety, efficacy, and ingredients (see Safety and Effectiveness ). Some supplements (for example, kava) can be harmful. Furthermore, some supplements can interact with other medications and can worsen some disorders. Concerns about using standard hormone therapy have led to an interest in using hormones derived from plants such as yams and soy. These hormones have nearly the same molecular structure as hormones made by the body and thus are called bioidentical hormones. Many of the hormones used in standard hormone therapy are also so-called bioidentical hormones derived from plants. Menopause experts recommend use of the hormones in standard hormone therapy because have been tested and approved, and their use is closely monitored. Sometimes a pharmacist custom makes (compounds) bioidentical hormones for a person according to a health care professional's prescription. These are called compounded bioidentical hormones. Their production is not well-regulated. Thus, many doses, combinations, and forms are possible, and purity, consistency, and potency of the products vary. Compounded bioidentical hormones are often marketed as substitutes for standard hormone therapy, sometimes along with claims they are a better, safer treatment than standard hormone therapy. But there is no evidence that compounded products are safer, more effective, or even as effective as standard hormone therapy. Sometimes women are not told that compounded bioidentical hormone products have the same risks as standard hormones. Women who are considering taking these compounded hormone therapies are advised to discuss them with a doctor. 