Fast Facts: Menopause for Women and their Supporters

P. Briggs

• Publisher: S. Karger
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN:
  9781912776085
• eBook ISBN:
  9781912776092
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Gynecology, Obstetrics & Midwifery

The menopause transition affects different women in different ways, with symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating. This fact-filled workbook explains in simple language what happens during the perimenopausal years, highlights the long-term consequences of the menopause, and debunks the myths surrounding menopausal hormone treatment. With spaces to write notes and keep track of symptoms, it is the ideal resource to help women have informed discussions with their doctors or nurses and choose how they want to manage their menopause transition. Contents: • What is the menopause? • What's happening with my hormones? • How will the menopause transition affect me? • Long-term consequences of the menopause • Managing the common symptoms • Sex and the menopause • Lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms • Menopausal hormone therapy • Weighing up the benefits and risks of MHT • The long-term benefits of MHT • The risks of MHT • MHT and breast cancer • Frequently asked questions about MHT • Breaking the taboo and getting support • What's new?

Managing the common symptoms

Heavy bleeding

Irregular or heavy bleeding is often an early symptom of the menopause transition (see page 5). You may have less of a gap between heavier periods, or you may go for several months without a period.

Bleeding is heavier than what you consider to be normal for you if:

•it soaks through a high-absorbency tampon or pad within an hour

•it causes you to change your pad or tampon during sleep

•you need dual protection (tampons and pads)

•you are passing large blood clots

•it lasts longer than 7 days.

Practical tips

Keep a track of your periods for discussion with your doctor. Make a note of: when they start, how long they last, how heavy they are, any spotting in between periods, and any abnormal bleeding, pain, discomfort or other symptoms.

Wear panty liners or protective underwear if the timing of your periods is unpredictable.

Use high-absorbency tampons or pads during your period and change them every 2–4 hours.

Keep using contraception. You can get pregnant during the menopause transition.

Further steps if needed

Talk to your doctor if you have more than 1 week of heavy bleeding a month to rule out other causes (e.g. fibroids).

Talk to your doctor if you are feeling tired or look paler than usual. You may have anaemia. Your doctor can do a blood test and may give you iron tablets.

Ibuprofen (200 mg every 4–6 hours) can help with menstrual cramps and may reduce your flow by up to 30%.

An intrauterine system that contains 52 mg of the progestogen levonorgestrel reduces bleeding in most women without changing the menstrual cycle. Only the Mirena IUS is licensed for use as part of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT).

Hot flushes

Hot flushes are a sudden feeling of intense heat that spreads throughout the body. They may last seconds or minutes, and may be accompanied by reddening of the skin, sweating and sometimes palpitations (rapid heart rate). Hot flushes can lead to embarrassment and anxiety.

Hot flushes are one of the most common and well-known symptoms of the menopause transition. In the BMS survey (see page 6), 79% of women aged 45–65 experienced hot flushes.

In general, women get hot flushes for an average of 5 years, although it can be a lot longer than this. Some women experience very few, whereas others may get several hot flushes a day.

Practical tips

Wear several thin layers of clothing, and choose clothes that you can remove quickly and easily.

Carry a fan with you, or try neck-cooling scarves/bandanas.

Cool your face with cold water if you feel a hot flush coming on.

Avoid triggers such as spicy food, alcohol and caffeine.

Check whether any medicine you are taking increases the risk of hot flushes; talk to your doctor if you think this is an issue.

Use relaxation and breathing techniques to avoid stress and anxiety, as they can make hot flushes worse.

Furt...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright
• Contents
• What is the menopause?
• What’s happening with my hormones?
• How will the menopause transition affect me?
• Long-term consequences of the menopause
• Managing the common symptoms
• Sex and the menopause
• Lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms
• Menopausal hormone therapy
• Weighing up the benefits and risks of MHT
• The long-term benefits of MHT
• The risks of MHT
• MHT and breast cancer
• Frequently asked questions about MHT
• Breaking the taboo and getting support
• What’s new?
• Glossary