Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is the natural process that your body goes through as you stop producing female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and your reproductive years come to an end. It usually happens when you’re aged 45-55, depending on genetics, and it’s officially finished when you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period.

It’s a big life change. Your body and mind can feel different, as well as your feelings and comfort in some situations. You might find that it impacts your relationships, your work life, or your ability to relax. But even though menopause is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be a pain – the team at TOAG is here to help.

What causes menopause?

Menopause is a natural process that happens due to age. It happens when your ovaries begin producing less and less estrogen, leading to changes throughout your body as it adjusts to its new hormone levels. Eventually, your ovaries stop producing estrogen altogether and your body will settle into its new way of working.

Menopause can also happen suddenly because of a surgery that removes your ovaries. If you need to have your ovaries removed, your doctor will usually talk to you about managing symptoms and taking hormone replacing medications beforehand. You can also ask for a referral to see Dr Homar at Toowoomba Obstetrics & Gynaecology for a second opinion.

Menopause | Toowoomba Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Symptoms

Menopause symptoms vary a lot between different women. If you’re going through menopause, you might experience some of the following:

Headaches
Thinning hair
Brittle bones
Gaining weight
Anxiety
Depression
Brain fog
Forgetfulness
Heavier periods

Lighter periods
Breast pain
Hot flashes
Chills
Night sweats
Mood swings
Lower sex drive
Nausea
Joint pain
Tiredness

Dry/itchy vagina (vaginal atrophy)
Urinary incontinence
Trouble sleeping
Dry/itchy skin
Irregular periods

Symptoms often run-in families, so asking an older female relative about their own experiences might help you understand what you’re likely to experience. Try talking to your mother, grandmother, aunt, or even an older sister or cousin.

When should I see a doctor for menopause?

Menopause is a normal part of ageing, but it can be unexpectedly uncomfortable for some women. Talk to the TOAG team if you experience any of the following:

Symptoms that make you physically uncomfortable
Menopause can make you feel strange, but it shouldn’t interfere with your everyday life. If you have to change your normal activities because of menopause symptoms, talk to Dr Homar.
Bleeding after not having a period for more than 12 months
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is never normal, but it’s not always because of a severe medical problem. If it happens, always see a doctor and ask for tests to investigate.
Another long-term medical condition (like osteoporosis or heart disease)
Medications taken for one condition can sometimes impact other treatments and conditions. Make sure your GP and gynaecologist know about all the medications you’re taking and your other diagnoses.

How TOAG can help manage menopause?

At Toowoomba Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Lanziz Homar can prescribe many different types of medication and therapies to help you manage. Some of the most common methods are listed here.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – since symptoms are caused by changing hormone levels, your doctor might prescribe medication that replaces some of them and helps keep them at a steady level. They can come as tablets, gels, patches, or other types of medication.
Intra-uterine devices (IUDs) – such as Mirena or Kyleena work by releasing small amounts of hormone into your body over several years. As well as preventing pregnancy, they can help lighten periods and decrease some menopause symptoms.
Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) – these contain oestrogen and progesterone, so they can both prevent pregnancy while you are still fertile and help lessen menopause symptoms.
Healthy living – many women find that making small lifestyle changes (like exercising in certain ways or taking some herbal supplements) lightens their menopause symptoms. Your doctor can make recommendations that suit your lifestyle.

Remember that every woman’s body is different and everyone needs a slightly different approach – always speak to your doctor before trying a new treatment.

Menopause FAQs

What happens if I have an existing concern and then go through menopause?

It depends on the condition. If you have heavy periods, menopause might bring a welcome end to them. If you have hormonal trouble, menopause might be the start of fluctuating symptoms that are more difficult to control.

If you have a long-term, non-gynaecological condition – like heart disease, arthritis, cancer, or a thyroid disorder – the treatments used to manage menopause can have a huge impact on whether your existing condition gets better or worse. When you visit TOAG, remember to let Dr Homar know about any other medical conditions or therapies that you’re undergoing. The information can help him recommend the best menopause treatment options for you.

Fertility and pregnancy in menopause

Menopause signals the end of your reproductive years, but it doesn’t happen overnight. While it’s much more difficult to do so, you can still get pregnant and give birth until you fully reach menopause – 12 months after your last menstrual period.

If you don’t plan on having any more children, you will need to keep using contraception until you are all the way through menopause. Some contraceptives (like hormonal medications, implants, or injections) can make menopause symptoms less severe or make them worse, so it’s worth speaking to Dr Lanziz Homar about your options.

If you’re entering menopause and still want to have children, discuss your fertility options with Dr Homar as soon as possible. You may still be able to fall pregnant and safely carry. Pregnancy to term.

Can I manage menopause naturally?

Some women find that herbal supplements help manage their menopause symptoms. Most aren’t scientifically proven, but you may find that taking one or more helps make menopause more manageable. Below are a few that you might like to consider.

Black cohosh – often used to help manage hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Some women also use it for PMS or cramps.
Evening primrose oil – some evidence suggests that it might help with hot flashes.
St John’s wort – sometimes used for mild depression in menopause.
Ginseng – some women find it helps improve their mood and general sense of wellbeing.
Soy – soy beans contain phytoestrogen, which is a type of plant-based estrogen that your body can process in a similar way.
Calcium – your body is less able to process calcium after menopause, so a calcium supplement may help prevent osteoporosis.
Melatonin – used by many people as a sleep aid and may help with insomnia in menopause.
Valerian – sometimes called ‘nature’s Valium’ and may help manage anxiety in menopause.

Remember to speak to your GP before starting regular supplements, especially if you’re taking other medications. Some herbal supplements can interfere with the way your body responds to other treatments and can make them less effective.

You can learn more about using herbs in menopause by visiting the Jean Hailes website.

Our TOAG tips for managing menopause

Menopause can make you feel uncomfortable at times, but making some small changes can make managing the symptoms a lot easier. If you’re looking for ways to manage menopause at home, you may like to try some of the following.

Dress in layers – Some women find that hot flashes make them get much warmer or colder very quickly. Wearing clothes that you can take off or put on easily will help you adjust your body temperature when you need to.
Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, and smoking – all these things can trigger hot flashes. Your diet can make a huge difference in how you feel, and picking a healthy one can help further manage your symptoms overall.
Pick up some fans – a quiet fan on your desk and a small fan in your purse can make a world of difference if you have frequent hot flashes.
Get regular exercise – moving around enough will help reduce your risk of osteoporosis, maintain your heart health, and possibly reduce hot flashes.
Make a water facial spray – many dollar stores sell small spray bottles that can spay water in a fine mist. Filling one with water and spraying it lightly on your face occasionally can help you feel cooler during hot flashes.
Consider counselling, mindfulness, and other techniques to improve your mental health – these do not help reduce hot flashes, but they can help reduce depression and anxiety that often come with menopause.

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