If you are a woman in your mid to late 40s, you may be approaching menopause. You might have missed some of our menstrual cycles. It is a natural process and happens with all women.

In this article, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai from Budget Fertility Centre Mumbai discusses menopause and what you can do to make it easier.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the time marking the end of your menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed when you consecutively have not had your periods for 12 months. It can happen in your 40’s and 50’s. If your ovaries are surgically removed, you undergo sudden surgical menopause.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai from Budget Fertility Centre is one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai. He has over 35 years of experience in treating women with gynecology issues. He also has an IVF clinic in Kolkata, and is  one of the best IVF doctors in Kolkata as well.

Why Does Menopause Occur?

As your menopause gets near, your ovaries make less estrogen, a hormone. According to Dr. Pai, one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai, as you start to age, your reproductive cycle starts slowing down and prepares to stop. This cycle has been functioning continuously since your puberty. 

When this happens, your period cycle starts changing. It becomes irregular and stops at a point.

Physical changes might also occur as your body adapts to these changes and different levels of hormones. 

This also affects your fertility. That is why, women over 40 are often advised to get IVF treatment for conceiving.

Symptoms

When you are transitioning into menopause, you will start seeing some symptoms, including the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dry skin
• Mood swings
• Depression

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Hair loss or hair thinning
• Increased hair growth in other areas of your body like the face, neck, chest, etc. 
• Weight gain 
• Slow metabolism
• Racing heart

Causes

According to Dr. Pai, one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai, menopause can result due to: 

• Reproductive organs decline naturally: In your late 30s, your ovaries make less progesterone and estrogen. These are the hormones regulating menstruation. Due to this, your fertility starts declining. When you are in your 40s, your periods may get shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, and less frequent until they stop entirely.

• Surgery is done to remove your ovaries: Your ovaries produce hormones like progesterone and estrogen that regulate your menstrual cycle. Surgery done to remove your ovaries will cause immediate menopause.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: These cancer treatments can cause menopause, resulting in symptoms such as hot flashes during or immediately after treatment. Because the cessation of menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent after chemotherapy, birth control measures may still be required. Radiation therapy only has an effect on the ovarian function when it is directed at the ovaries. Other regions of the body, such as breast tissue or the head and neck, will not be affected by radiation therapy.

Complications

The following are the complications you may face during your menopause: 

• Cardiovascular diseases: When your estrogen levels start to go down, the risk of cardiovascular diseases begins to increase. It is essential to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and get a fit height. You should also ask your doctor what you can do to protect the health of your heart.

• Urinary Incontinence: You may have frequent, abrupt, intense urges to pee, followed by the involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or loss of urine with coughing, laughing, or rising as the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose suppleness (stress incontinence). Urinary tract infections may become more common.

• • Incontinence symptoms may be relieved by strengthening pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises. Hormone therapy may also be an effective therapeutic option for urinary tract and vaginal alterations caused due to menopause, which can lead to incontinence. 

• Weight gain: Many women gain weight during the transition of menopause and after menopause. It is essential that you exercise and get a balanced and healthy diet.
• Osteoporosis: This condition makes your bones brittle and weak. This can lead to an increased risk of fractures. After the first few years of menopause, you lose your bone density rapidly, which increases your risk of osteoporosis.

Diagnosis

If you are of age 45 or more and have not had your period for over a year, it is an indication that you have menopause, says Dr. Pai.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your menstrual cycle so they can clearly understand your condition.

Treatment

Menopause is a natural process that your body will go through. In many cases, you do not need any treatment, according to Dr. Pai, one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai.

When treating menopause, the doctor treats the symptoms that can bring you discomfort and disturb your daily life.

These symptoms can be treated with:

1. Hormone therapy

Hormone treatment can be used as a supplement when your ovaries no longer produce enough estrogen and progesterone. Hormone treatment raises your hormone levels and can help ease specific menopausal symptoms. It is also utilized as an osteoporosis prevention strategy.

Hormone therapy can relieve symptoms of menopause, including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Irritability and mood swings.
• Hair loss

2. Non-hormonal therapy

Non-hormonal therapies include changes in your diet and lifestyle. This includes:

• Altering your diet
• Avoiding hot flashes triggers
• Exercising
• Participating in support groups
• Prescribed medications

These treatments are available at the Budget Fertility Centre.

What can you do to make your menopause easier?

• Staying comfortable: You could dress in loose and comfortable clothing. This can help you manage hot flashes. 

• Exercising and managing your weight: You should exercise in moderation and reduce your calorie intake. This can help you:

• • Increase your energy
  • Get better sleep at night
  • Improve your mood
  • Promotes your general well-being

• Quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol consumption: Smoking can make your symptoms worsen. You should also limit your alcohol intake because it can increase your health risks.
• You can also try yoga and medication to help you relax.

Conclusion:

Menopause is an inevitable aspect of the aging process. You have been menopausal for 12 months if you have not had a monthly period. Symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes are prevalent. 

Please inform your doctor about your symptoms and how they affect your quality of life.