Menopausal health tips

Menopause is a normal physiological transition stage in which women's ovarian function changes from strong to declining. It does not fall into the category of disease. Most uncomfortable symptoms can be significantly alleviated through life adjustments and standardized intervention. There is no need to be overly anxious and it is not recommended to bear it.

Last week I met a 52-year-old Aunt Zhang in the clinic. She was just half a year after menopause. She had hot flashes and sweated more than a dozen times a day. She still complained of heat when she stood in the corridor of the clinic wearing a thin sweater in winter. The sweat on her back was soaked layer by layer. She lay in bed and turned over for two or three hours at night and couldn't sleep. I would quarrel with my wife over trivial matters every now and then. I would hide at home and cry, saying, "Am I going to become a psychopath?" I heard an old sister say that menopause is something that you have to endure. It took almost a year to bear it, but it was really unbearable.

In fact, there are many people like Aunt Zhang. People have too many misunderstandings about menopause. They either think that it is a "normal phenomenon of aging" and will pass after a few years, or they think that they are "physically weak" and buy a bunch of supplements and health products to stuff them. They spend a lot of money and suffer a lot. It's strange to say that some people's menopause passes quietly. During the physical examination, they find out that they have been menopausal for two or three years and don't feel any discomfort at all. ； Some people start to have irregular menstruation and short temper in their early 40s, and the symptoms persist until they are almost 60 years old before they stabilize. This is related to personal genes, daily living habits, and even personality. There is no need to compare the severity of symptoms with others. If you feel uncomfortable, you should see a doctor.

When it comes to intervention, what everyone is most confused about is "can hormone supplementation be done?" There are indeed different voices in the industry: one view is that as long as there are no contraindications, hormone supplementation can be initiated within 10 years of menopause and within the window period of under 60 years old. Not only can it quickly relieve discomforts such as hot flashes and insomnia, but it can also prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The benefits far outweigh the risks.； Another perspective is that they worry that long-term use of hormones will increase the risk of breast lesions and blood clots, and they recommend gentle adjustments. In fact, the current clinical consensus is that people with no history of breast cancer, no active blood clots, and no severe abnormal liver and kidney function can completely use it under the evaluation of a doctor, without talking about hormonal discoloration. ； If you are really conflicting with hormones, you can use plant extracts, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and conditioning, or even just adjust your work schedule and exercise more, which can relieve most of the symptoms. No one is right or wrong, and the one that suits you is the best.

I have been in the gynecology clinic for almost 8 years, and I have seen too many detours. An aunt heard a live broadcast saying that "supplementing estrogen can prevent aging." She secretly bought imported estrogen ointment online and applied it for half a year. After a physical examination, she found grade three breast nodules. She was so scared that she stopped immediately.； There is also an aunt who had hot flashes and dared not go out in the summer. She obviously met the requirements for hormone supplementation, but she was afraid of getting cancer and had to endure it for three years. In the end, she was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis due to bone pain, and she regretted it so much. Really, don’t make blind decisions on your own. Do a full physical examination first and explain your concerns clearly to the doctor. You can always find a suitable solution.

Oh, by the way, don’t believe in “ovary care” or “menopausal special health products.” Last time, an aunt spent more than 30,000 yuan to buy a box of skin care products that are said to “bring back menstruation.” When I saw it, the first ingredient in the ingredient list was soy isoflavones, plus some vitamin E. You can buy it for three months in a regular drug store for just a few dozen yuan. It’s just an IQ tax. Also, don’t think that menopausal adjustment depends entirely on taking medicine. I have an old patient who suffered from severe insomnia and irritability before, but even after taking medicine, she didn’t feel better. Later, I signed up for a tour group with my old sister and went to Yunnan for half a month. When she came back, she told me that she could actually sleep until dawn, and her temper was much smoother. You see, relaxing is better than anything else. Don’t stay bored at home all the time. Dance in the square, learn to draw, or even go to the park to chat with people every day. If you distract yourself, those messy discomforts can be alleviated a lot.

By the way, there are two misunderstandings that need to be mentioned. Many people think that "it is normal to gain weight during menopause, so don't worry about it." That's not true. The metabolic rate will drop by 10%-15% during menopause, and fat is particularly easy to accumulate in the waist and abdomen. If you are not careful, you will find yourself with high blood pressure. You don't need to run a marathon and pump iron. Walk for half an hour after meals every day, add less oil and less salt when eating, and you can stabilize your weight. Some people think that "there is no need to have gynecological examinations after menopause." This is too dangerous. After menopause, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer are at a high risk. Annual TCT, HPV, gynecological B-ultrasound, and bone density examination are really not something you can save.

In fact, to put it bluntly, menopause is a signal sent by your body. In the first half of your life, you were busy working and taking care of your husband and children. Now that your children are older and you have retired, it is time to spend more time on yourself. Don’t treat it like a scourge, and don’t ignore it. Live this transition period comfortably, and there will be good days ahead, right?