18th October 2024

Understanding Menopause & Managing Its Symptoms

Menopause is a natural stage in every woman’s life, marking 12 months since the last menstrual cycle occurred. During menopause, your body goes through a significant transition, which can bring on various symptoms. Understanding these symptoms and seeking help can greatly enhance your quality of life. With the right treatment and support, you can effectively manage menopause and continue to enjoy your daily activities.

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Common symptoms of menopause

The experience of menopause varies from one woman to another, but some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Hot flushes and night sweats: sudden feelings of warmth, often accompanied by sweating, particularly during the night.
  • Headaches and migraines: many women report an increase in headaches and migraines during this time.
  • Muscle aches and joint pain: discomfort in muscles and joints can become more pronounced.
  • Reduced sex drive: changes in libido are common, affecting sexual health and intimacy.

Managing menopause symptoms

There are several ways to manage menopause symptoms, including both medical treatments and lifestyle  adjustments.

Medical treatments

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): this is the most effective option for relieving menopause symptoms. HRT works by replacing the declining levels of oestrogen in your body. Your doctor will consider factors such as your age, medical history, and the severity of your symptoms when discussing HRT with you.
  • Non-hormonal treatments: if HRT is not suitable for you, there are other medications that can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings. Your doctor can guide you in finding the right option.

Menopause Clinic

Our Menopause Clinic, delivered by our in-house GP, Dr. Clare Cromwell, is designed to address the symptoms of menopause.

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Lifestyle adjustments

In addition to medical treatments, making certain lifestyle changes can significantly help manage menopause symptoms:

  • Quit smoking: giving up smoking can reduce the severity of hot flushes.
  • Dietary changes: limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods may help ease hot flushes, heart palpitations and temperature dysregulation. 
  • Regular exercise: engaging in physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, stabilise your mood, and reduce muscle and joint pain.

Remember, menopause is a unique journey for each woman, so what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. As a result, it is important to understand what is normal for your body and what symptoms were brought on or exacerbated by menopause. By exploring different treatment options and approaches, you can find what works best for you.

Addressing sexual health issues during menopause

Menopause can also lead to sexual health issues, including  vaginal dryness, decreased libido, or pain during and after sex. 

Fortunately, there are treatments available to help:

  • Topical oestrogen therapy: this treatment can relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort, enhancing sexual function.
  • Testosterone replacement: for women experiencing persistently low libido, testosterone may be considered, but it should always be done under medical supervision.
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): this can be helpful for managing self-image and relationship concerns related to changes in sexual desire.

At Mater Private Network, we understand the emotional and physical challenges brought on by menopause. Within our Centre for Women’s Health in Cork, the Menopause Clinic provides access to both routine and complex menopause care. The service is delivered by our in-house GP, Dr. Clare Cromwell, who has a keen interest in menopause care. Women who attend the clinic have on-site access to any additional testing, imaging and specialist consultations in a hospital setting.

 


The above content was provided by Dr. Clare Cromwell, Menopause Specialist General Practitioner, at the Centre for Women’s Health in Mater Private Network in Cork. 

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Women's Health

Women's health prerogatives can change at different stages in their lives but many of their health concerns are shared by women of all ages. Our women's health service hopes to address some of these health issues.

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