What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural process which occurs when a woman stops menstruating for 12 consecutive months, reducing her fertility and ability to fall pregnant. Menopause normally occurs between the ages 45 – 55 but may develop before or after this age range. Menopause occurs when your ovaries produce less reproductive hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone.



There are different types of menopause, namely:

Perimenopause:

This occurs a few years before menopause due to your ovaries producing less oestrogen, which may result in your ovaries not releasing eggs.

Menopause:

This is when you stop menstruating, releasing eggs and producing enough oestrogen.

Postmenopause:

This is the stage after a woman has stopped menstruating and releasing eggs due to low hormone levels.

What are the related symptoms?

Menopause can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as:

  • - Vaginal dryness
  • - Night sweats
  • - Weight gain and slowed metabolism
  • - Hot flashes
  • - Mood changes
  • - Sleep problems
  • - Irregular periods

What are the treatment options for menopause?

There are different types of effective menopause treatments from hormone therapy to low-dose antidepressants. Dr Vatharajh may recommend the following to treat menopause:

Hormone therapy

Depending on your medical history, Dr Vatharajh may recommend oestrogen therapy in the lowest dose to provide symptom relief. If you still have your uterus, the gynaecologist will add progestin in your oestrogen therapy. This may be administered in a pill or patch form.

Vaginal oestrogen

This may be administered directly into the vagina as a vaginal cream, tablet or ring, to relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse.

Low-dose antidepressants

Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be prescribed to decrease menopausal hot flashes, especially for women who can’t take oestrogen due to health reasons.

Clonidine

This is administered as a pill or a patch, usually to treat high blood pressure and may provide relief from hot flashes.

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Dr Rochelle Vatharajh is a family-friendly Gynaecologist and Obstetrician
based at Netcare Parklands Hospital in Durban.