Change of Life

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Menstrual Period: One of the first signs of menopause is a change in your period. You may skip periods or they may come closer together. Your flow may be lighter or heavier than normal.
• Hot Flashes:
  • This is the most common sign of menopause. Hot flashes can last for a few seconds or for an hour. They are more common at night. Layer your clothing if you are having hot flashes and sweating. Wear cotton clothing if sweating at night is a problem.
  • They may continue for a year, but not longer than 5 years. Medicine may help ease hot flashes if they bother you.
• Changes in the Vagina: Vaginal dryness may make sex uncomfortable. Your doctor may give you an estrogen cream to put in and around your vagina. You can also use a water-based jelly.
• Urine Problems: After menopause you may have urinary tract infections or problems with your kidneys. You may go to the bathroom more often, have pain when you urinate, or have to get up at night to urinate.
• Bone Changes: During menopause, your bones lose calcium, which is a mineral in your body. This causes your bones to become thinner. There is a greater problem with bones breaking as you age.
• Body Changes:
  • You may notice your hair is thinner and feels different. You may lose hair between your legs and get some hair on your face. Your breasts may not be as full and nipples not as raised.
  • Headaches, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and tiredness are other signs.
• Pregnancy: It is possible for you to get pregnant while going through menopause. You are not free from possible pregnancy until you have gone a year without a menstrual period. Keep using birth control during this time if you do not want to get pregnant.
• Exercise: You should exercise regularly. This will slow down bone loss and keep your weight and appetite under control. It will also make you feel better.
• Food: Eating foods that are high in calcium helps slow down bone loss. Calcium is found in milk and dairy foods, nuts, seafood, and green leafy vegetables. Your doctor may want you to take calcium pills.
• Mood Changes: You may go through menopause with no mood changes. But you could feel nervous, irritable, tired, or have mild depression. These are usually not serious problems, but you should talk to your doctor about them. Talking to your partner or a close friend or relative may also help.
• Heart Disease: This is more common in women after menopause. Eating good foods, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and watching your weight are ways to keep your heart healthy.
• Health Checkups: Visit your doctor each year for routine checkups. If you are taking estrogen, you should have a Pap smear every 12 months. Talk with your doctor about concerns or problems you are having with menopause
• Medicine: Your doctor may want you to take medicine to help with the changes caused by menopause. Call your doctor before you stop taking any medicines.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You have heavy vaginal bleeding.
• You have bleeding that lasts longer than what is normal for you.
• You have spotting (blood) between periods.
• You have a period 6 months or more after your last period.
• You have burning when you pass urine.
• You have trouble passing your urine.