A doctor explains! The basics to successfully improve the painful menopause

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Although menopause varies from person to person, it generally refers to the period of about 10 years from about 45 years old to about 55 years old, when menopause occurs. Due to the decrease in female hormones, the hormone balance is disturbed, and not only the body but also the autonomic nerves and the state of the mind are disturbed.

These symptoms of menopause are called “menopausal symptoms,” and severe symptoms that interfere with work, housework, and daily life are called “menopausal disorders.”

How long does menopause last?

Menopausal disorders have various symptoms depending on the person, but from what age to what age can they be seen? As mentioned earlier, menopause is the period of about 10 years from the age of 45 to the age of 55, when menopause occurs.

Main menopausal symptoms

Menopausal symptoms are very diverse. Medically, it consists of three classifications:

[Menopausal symptoms 1] Vasomotor symptoms

A condition associated with constriction or dilation of blood vessels. Vasomotor symptoms, which are one of the symptoms of menopause, include hot flushes, hot flashes, and sweating.

[Menopausal symptoms 2] Various physical symptoms

There are physical symptoms such as easy fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, stiff shoulders, back pain, joint pain, and cold legs.

[Menopausal symptoms 3] Psychiatric symptoms

There are psychiatric symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and depressed mood.

What causes menopause?

The age and symptoms at which menopausal symptoms appear vary from person to person, but what are the causes of menopausal disorders? Explain why menopause occurs.

[Causes of menopause] Decline in ovarian function

Estrogen, one of the female hormones that help create a feminine body, not only plays an important role in maintaining health, but also has a great effect on the female body. The main cause of menopause is that the function of the ovaries declines and the secretion of estrogen sharply decreases. It is believed that symptoms may occur due to the combined influence of physical changes associated with aging, mental and psychological factors, and sociocultural environmental factors.

Menopause self-care measures and coping methods

Menopause can occur in any woman. So, what are some self-care measures and coping strategies for menopause?

[Self-care measures for menopause 1] Diet therapy

Eat a balanced diet. In particular, vitamin E is said to have the effect of improving blood circulation and adjusting hormone balance. In addition, soy isoflavones are known to act like estrogen, one of the female hormones, so it is a good idea to actively take them. However, caution is required because high-dose, long-term intake of soy isoflavones has been shown to increase the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia.

[Self-care measures for menopause 2] Moderate exercise

In order to keep the body and mind in balance, it is necessary to devise daily life. Doing moderate aerobic exercise will help you adjust your autonomic nerves and refresh your mood.

[Self-care measures for menopause 3] Do what you like

Doing something you love, such as chatting with friends or immersing yourself in a hobby, is good for your mind and body. It is important to relieve stress by doing things that you enjoy and to successfully overcome menopause.

[Self-care measures for menopause 4] Enjoy going out

When you feel unwell in your mind and body, you tend to stay at home. Don’t think too much by yourself, talk with your family and friends, enjoy shopping, walking, traveling, etc.

[Self-care measures for menopause 5] Try to get enough rest and sleep

Menopause affects both mind and body. If you feel unwell, don’t overdo it, try to relax your shoulders a little, try to get enough rest and sleep, and change your lifestyle habits.

How to test and diagnose menopausal disorders at a hospital?

What are the methods of testing and diagnosing menopausal disorders in hospitals?

What kind of hospital should I go to for menopause?

Some of the symptoms of menopause are similar to those caused by other disorders. It is important to have a doctor diagnose whether the cause of feeling painful is due to menopause. First of all, it would be a good idea to consider visiting a gynecologist, menopausal outpatient clinic, or outpatient clinic for women.

[Examination and diagnosis of menopausal disorder 1] Interview

We will ask you about the presence or absence of menstruation, how long it has been since menopause, past and present medical history, and what symptoms you have been suffering from since when. It also confirms treatment preferences.

[Examination and diagnosis of menopausal disorder 2] Blood test

After the interview, if menopausal disorders are suspected, a blood test will be performed to check the amount of female hormones in the blood. We will also check whether you have any other illnesses other than menopause. Diseases that can mimic menopause symptoms include thyroid disease, zinc deficiency, and depression.

[Examination and diagnosis of menopausal disorder 3] Gynecological examination

Next, we check for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine cancer, and breast cancer. Since many postmenopausal women develop osteoporosis, many hospitals will perform a full-body examination, such as measuring bone mass, to prevent osteoporosis.

What is the cure for menopause?

Once menopause is diagnosed, treatment is started according to the symptoms. Treatments for menopause include:

[Treatment for menopause 1] Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that compensates for female hormones that decline with age. It can be expected to be effective for symptoms caused by menopausal disorders, including hot flashes, hot flashes, and sweating, which are caused by disturbances in the autonomic nervous system. However, this treatment may not be suitable due to complications or pre-existing conditions.

[Treatment for menopause 2] Kampo therapy

Herbal remedies may also be recommended. “Touki Shakuyakusan” helps to improve dizziness, headaches, and cold hands and feet, “Keishibukuryogan” helps to deal with hot flashes and hot flashes, and insomnia and irritability. It is said that taking Chinese herbal medicines such as Kamishoyosan, which softens the body, regulates the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body.

[Treatment for menopause 3] Placenta therapy

There is an injection solution extracted from safe human placenta (placenta). Insurance coverage is available for menopausal disorders between the ages of 45 and 60.
Please note that it is not covered by insurance when used in combination with hormone replacement therapy. Injection once or twice a week is expected to improve physical condition. However, since it is a medicine made from a part of the human body, those who have had this injection will not be able to donate blood in the future.

[Treatment for menopause 4] Lifestyle improvement and counseling

Diet therapy, exercise therapy, lifestyle improvement guidance and counseling may be provided in parallel with drug treatment. Soy isoflavones and polyphenols are known to improve hot flashes, and supplements containing these are also effective. Menopausal disorders can be exacerbated by psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia, so mental care is also actively provided.

How to deal with menopausal disorders and how to have a good relationship

It is said that many people, even if they are diagnosed with menopause, put up with it in the hope that it will improve someday. But it’s hard to hold back. Symptoms of menopause can be alleviated with proper treatment. From here, we will introduce measures for menopausal disorders and how to get along well.

[How to deal with menopause 1] Don’t put up with it too much

The reality is that there are a great many women who think that they have to put up with menopausal symptoms, even though their mind and body are painful. It is said that the symptoms of menopause tend to be more likely to appear in people who are serious and work too hard.

Counseling at a gynecology department may help you realize that you don’t have to try hard, and your symptoms may be alleviated just by talking to those around you and letting go of your patience.

[How to deal with menopause 2] Do not overdo your daily life

At the age when the symptoms of menopause appear, physical and mental disorders are likely to occur, and even those who have been able to overcome some things may lose their physical strength and resistance and go down. It may be a good idea to understand your physical condition and what you can do, and review your daily life.

[How to deal with menopause 3] Treat

Menopausal symptoms can be alleviated with proper treatment. Don’t put up with painful symptoms, get the treatment you deserve.

There are various treatment methods, but what kind of treatment to use depends on the severity of the symptoms and the doctor. Multiple treatments may be combined, so don’t leave any symptoms as “about menopause” and get tested early.

Let’s spend menopause positively!

Menopausal discomforts and anxieties are different for each person. The symptoms and severity vary widely. Don’t put up with it for yourself or your family, talk to people close to you, see a doctor, and get over it positively.