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What to Consider When Seeking Treatment for the Menopause
Menopause can be a complicated experience. This is when an individual does not have a period due to lower hormone levels. Although this usually occurs around age 52, early menopause can occur before the age of 45. It comes hand-in-hand with an array of symptoms, from difficulty sleeping and hot flashes to issues with memory and weight changes.
The different symptoms you experience will vary, but they can have a big impact on your life. These emotional, mental, and physical changes can make your everyday routine challenging, leading to further feelings of frustration and self-consciousness. This, when paired with the fatigue and irritability directly caused by the menopause, is not a healthy combination, which makes seeking help a priority.
If you are concerned about your symptoms and have conducted an at-home hormone test (you can find out how to test hormone levels at home here), then you should begin planning your next steps. Fortunately, this post outlines three key steps to follow when seeking menopause treatment.
Assess Your Symptoms and Health History
Before you begin seeking treatment for menopause, it is useful to accurately assess the symptoms you are experiencing. Menopause symptoms can vary significantly from woman to woman, and this means that there is no one-fits-all treatment. A proper understanding of your symptoms and knowledge of your health history is required to ensure an effective treatment plan is found.
One of the most effective methods for assessing your symptoms is to keep a detailed diary that tracks them. You should note down any changes and signs that you think are related to the menopause, including menstrual cycle changes and physical symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain, and sleep disturbances. It is also worthwhile documenting the emotional and mental changes you go through, such as feelings of anxiety, mood changes, or changes in libido.
Knowledge of your health history, including family medical history, is needed, too. Most women who are over the age of 45 can be diagnosed by their symptoms, but others, including those aged below 45, will need an in-depth history to aid their diagnosis. As you gather your family history, you should also write down your existing conditions, if you are on hormonal contraception, and any previous medical treatments.
Discuss Options with a Healthcare Professional
With more information about your symptoms and health history, treating the menopause should be simpler, but it can take some trial and error to find the right treatment for you. A doctor will help you through this by explaining the available treatment options, ensuring that your concerns are dealt with before proceeding. This shared decision-making will help find the best solution for you.
There are different treatment options available, with Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) being one such option. However, it has been found that fewer women are using HRT than decades before, with less than 5% of women saying they used this treatment in 2020. Non-hormonal medications, like clonidine and gabapentin, can also be used to treat menopause symptoms.
Evaluate the Benefits and Risks of Treatment Options
No matter the treatment option you select, there will be pros and cons that you need to consider. You must evaluate the benefits and risks of each treatment discussed with the doctor to ensure you make an informed decision. Certain treatments will have different side effects, depending on the individual’s age, history, and symptoms, which could impact your final decision.
For example, HRT can relieve common menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. This can improve the quality of your life. Nevertheless, HRT does have some risks that you should be aware of before choosing it as your preferred treatment. There is an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly if used long-term, and it can also cause blood clots.
If you are unsure of the best treatment for you, then you can fall back on your doctor’s expertise in this area; they should keep you right when making the decision.
To conclude, going through the menopause is not an easy situation, and there is a lot to deal with. For those who want to seek assistance, it is important to do so in such a way that you are adequately prepared, and this post can help you do just that.
