HEALTH & WELLNESS – BRANDED CONTENT
5 Things We Now Know About Menopause Your menopause experience won’t be like your mom’s—or even your friends’. Our understanding and treatment of menopause today is sharply different from just a few years ago, as is the advice of healthcare professionals.
incontinence, and other pelvic problems—can linger in post-menopausal women.
But before we dispel myths and misunderstandings, let’s clarify what menopause is.
Different symptoms affect different women at different degrees. Some women breeze through menopause without any discomfort and others feel incapacitated, says Schnieders. Similarly, a treatment that’s a godsend for one woman could harm another.
Menopause, defined. Menopause is the result of dropping estrogen levels—either because our ovaries are done working, or were removed during surgery. That sharp drop in estrogen can cause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, poor sleep, pelvic dysfunction, and increased risk of heart attacks—all of which can worsen with stress. Those body changes often bring women to Julie Schnieders, a nurse practitioner and director of the St. Vincent Carmel Women’s Center. “While most women are savvy in watching for symptoms,” she says, “many are unaware treatment guidelines have changed.”
2. Symptoms and solutions vary per individual.
Perhaps that’s the biggest change from your mom’s menopause experience—the fact that each woman requires (and deserves) a personalized plan that accounts for her life circumstances, habits and risks. “This is not a 10-minute consultation,” Schnieders explains: “We’ll look at your family history, individual risks, habits, sex life, sleep, cholesterol, sugar levels, and so on.” Only then can a health professional point you to resources that will benefit you. “The important takeaway,” says Schnieders, “is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.”
What we know now. Much has changed in recent years. Below, we clarify five aspects of menopause that are commonly misunderstood, and that demand a different approach today. 1. You don’t have to be “menopause age” to experience menopause. While most women enter menopause between ages 45 and 55, younger women who’ve undergone chemotherapy or had their ovaries removed can experience early menopause. And some symptoms— like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, 16
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3. Hormone therapy can harm some women. Years ago, hormones were prescribed as a cure-all for menopause symptoms, no questions asked. After studies in the early 2000s showed hormones can be harmful in some cases, treatment guidelines changed dramatically. Note that hormones remain a safe, effective treatment for many women. The general guidelines now are that hormones should be used for symptomatic relief at the lowest dose and for the shortest length of time when
women first enter menopause—never for long-term prevention or relief. But even among women who are good candidates for hormones, some decide against it, as it can be costly and require a lot of effort.
4. You’ve never had more options. Patients who are good candidates for hormones now enjoy more delivery options via pills, creams, and patches. Alternatively, a host of hormone-free options are also available, including over-the-counter medication you can grab at the grocery store. Likewise, technology has come a long way. A new, hormone-free resource that’s grown popular with patients is the MonaLisa Touch, a five-minute laser treatment that relieves vaginal discomfort by stimulating collagen growth. “There’s no pain, no downtime. Some women are on their phone the whole time,” shares Schnieders.
5. DIY = Delaying relief Surely, there’s a Pinterest recipe for that menopause symptom you’re experiencing, right? Or maybe you should give it time? Not so. Symptoms won’t go away without treatment, cautions Schnieders. Plus, when women choose to go it alone or wait it out, many return with serious health complications that could have been prevented. “The main thing: Women don’t have to put up with discomfort,” she concludes. Not just for their sake, but for their loved ones: “When mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy.” Call 317-583-4437 to schedule your pelvic health consultation with St. Vincent, or visit stvincent.org/taketime4u to learn more.