SERVICES
Menopause
Menopause is a biological process that occurs naturally and marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Women are diagnosed with menopause after 12 months without a menstrual period. Typically, menopause commences in a woman's late 40s or early 50s, with the average age being 51.
Symptoms
Every woman's menopausal journey is different. When menopause occurs quickly or over a short period, the symptoms are often more severe. You may start to notice some or all of the following symptoms:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Hair loss
- Libido changes
- Loss of breast Fullness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
Causes
Your reproductive cycle slows or stops altogether as you get older. Since puberty, your ovaries have produced oestrogen nonstop. As you near menopause, your ovaries produce less oestrogen, and your menstrual cycle begins to vary as a result.
When menstruation ceases and the ovaries stop producing eggs each month, you have reached menopause. Other than this natural decline in reproductive hormones, menopause can also begin when surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy or hysterectomy) has occurred or when a patient has undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other medical treatments.
How long does menopause last?
Symptoms might remain for up to four years after a woman has had her last menstrual period. A small percentage of women have menopause symptoms for up to a decade before they reach menopause, and 1 in 10 women have menopausal symptoms for up to 12 years after their last period.
Treatment
Your body goes through menopause naturally and does not always need medical intervention. However, Dr Thomas can help you manage unpleasant symptoms and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.
Treatment options include:
- Anti-depressants
- Hormone therapy
- Non-hormonal treatments
- Topical gels
- Lifestyle changes and physical therapy