What Is It?(01 of11)
Open Image ModalKnow The Symptoms (02 of11)
Open Image ModalCommon symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include irregular or absent menstruation, sleeplessness, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, mood changes, and increased vaginal or urinary tract infections. Some of these symptoms may continue for months or years after a woman stops menstruating, the Office of Women’s Health notes. Tracking symptoms can provide your doctor with helpful information on handling them, and give you a way to anticipate when they might occur. (credit:YunYulia via Getty Images)
But There Are Unusual Symptoms As Well (03 of11)
Open Image ModalTake A Deep Breath (04 of11)
Open Image ModalExercise And Eat Well(05 of11)
Open Image ModalStaying active during menopause is important, because it helps maintain bone density, muscle mass, and metabolism, Ali says. It’s also important to make sure you get enough calcium to maintain healthy bones: the Office on Women’s Health recommends 1,200 mg of calcium daily for women older than 51, along with 600 IU (international unit) of vitamin D and 800 IU if you are older than 70. If you have experienced menopause but still have vaginal bleeding due to hormone therapy, you may need iron supplements as well. (credit:Tomwang112 via Getty Images)
Stay Cool(06 of11)
Open Image ModalConsider Herbal Relief (07 of11)
Open Image ModalHormone Therapy May Be An Option For Some(08 of11)
Open Image ModalThough it has been very controversial, for some women hormone therapy is safe and provides more benefits than risks, Ali says. "Women who are good candidates for hormone therapy are close to menopause, typically ages 50 to 59, are in good health, do not have cancer, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or a history of heart disease or blood clots,” she says. The risks vary with age, she adds, and the therapy is more beneficial when you start at a younger age. "Hormone therapy can effectively relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats,” she says. "Hormone therapy can also protect the bones from osteoporosis, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and help with mood and memory.” (credit:hatchapong via Getty Images)
But Be Aware Of The Cautions (09 of11)
Open Image ModalWool also advises that hormone therapy can be relatively safe in most patients, but gives a few warnings. "There are certain concerns and that would be an increased risk of stroke, an increased risk of VTE or venothrombotic events such as a blood clot in the legs or lungs,” he says. "Plus, the data on breast cancer is not out. There’s mixed feelings on whether or not hormone replacement increases breast cancer.” Each individual patient should speak with her physician to outline her own profile for risks and benefits. (credit:PelageyaKlubnikina via Getty Images)
It May Not Be Menopause (10 of11)
Open Image ModalIt’s important to pay attention to changes in your body because the symptoms associated with menopause can have other causes as well. Hot flashes could also be a result of thyroid dysfunction, medication side effects, stress, or fever, Ali notes. For younger women, night sweats could be a sign of infection, lymphoma, or leukemia, Wool says, adding that vaginal dryness should be addressed at any age. And when it comes to the lack of sleep many menopausal women experience, it could be related to environmental factors like stress and anxiety, Ali says. (credit:Jetta Productions via Getty Images)
Take Care Of Your Medical Business (11 of11)
Open Image ModalPreventive care becomes even more important during and after menopause, Ali says, and this includes screening for breast, cervical, and colon cancers. Talk to your physician about your personal risk profile for these conditions and go over the current screening recommendations to find out what you need to have checked. Also, keep up your yearly medical exams, Dr. Wool says, so you have a forum for discussing concerns about menopause with your physician. "There’s a lot of misinformation out there in addition to a lot of different opinions,” he says. "It is important that every woman has this discussion with her own practitioner." (credit:SelectStock via Getty Images)