- Symptoms of menopause vary for every woman and can change in intensity during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. Symptoms may begin in a woman's 40s or even in a woman's 30s. They include irregular periods, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, mood swings, an increase in abdominal fat, thinning hair and loss of breast fullness. The ability to become fertile may decrease, as well. As you near your late 30s, your ovaries make less estrogen and progesterone. In your 40s, menstrual cycles may become longer or shorter and more or less frequent.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, estrogen replacement is still considered the most effective treatment for menopause. It is especially effective for hot flashes. However, not all women can take estrogen replacement therapy. In 2002, a clinical study called The Women's Health Initiative, reported health risks for some women. Risks included breast cancer, strokes, heart disease and blood clots. The study was based on women taking a combination of estrogen-progestin called Prempro. Today, doctors recommend that if a woman is to take hormonal-replacement therapy, the dosage should be small. Women who have had breast cancer should not take HRT.
- Exercise and dressing in layers can help relieve hot flashes. Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants can help vaginal dryness. To help with sleep, avoid caffeine and do not exercise before bedtime. A balanced diet will help to keep bones strong as will calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Many women use black cohosh, despite no medical proof that it actually works to relieve symptoms. Including soy in your diet may improve symptoms, as well. A number of natural-replacement therapies are on the market, but their effectiveness is unknown. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercise each day and a healthy diet with vitamin supplements.
