Menopause Health Lecture

Menopause is not a "watershed in female aging", nor is it a "pretentious disease that can be tolerated and passed away". It is just a transitional stage caused by the natural decline of ovarian function. More than 90% of hot flashes, insomnia, emotional irritability, bone and joint pain and other discomforts can be greatly alleviated through scientific intervention. There is no need to bear it hard, and there is no need to take "magic maintenance drugs" of unknown origin.

Last week I was at a community free clinic and met 52-year-old Aunt Zhang. She sat there holding a small book full of folk remedies for half an hour before she dared to speak. She said that she had been having hot flashes for almost a year and woke up three or four times in the middle of the night every day. She was so sweaty that she had to change into pajamas. Her husband thought she was too busy and said she was just idle. She herself didn't dare to go to the hospital, fearing that people would say she was having a temper tantrum during menopause, so she followed the sisters in the community and bought more than 3,000 yuan of "ovary maintenance essential oil" and rubbed her belly every day. After three months of use, it was of no use. Instead, she has been feeling flustered recently and her blood pressure has fluctuated. I have been in the gynecology clinic for 11 years, and I have seen too many examples like this. People have too deep misunderstandings about menopause, and they either just ignore it or seek medical treatment in a hurry. There are indeed many opinions about menopausal intervention, and the views of different systems are quite different. I will objectively explain it to you today. You can choose based on your own situation.

Let’s start with the hormone treatment that everyone is most concerned about, which is “hormone supplementation” that many people shake their heads upon hearing. According to the clear conclusion of the International Menopause Society, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most profitable option for those who are within 10 years of menopause, are younger than 60 years old, and have no contraindications such as breast cancer, active thrombosis, or severe liver and kidney dysfunction. It can not only quickly relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia, but also prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Many people are afraid of getting cancer from eating it. In fact, as long as you follow up regularly and take medication regularly, the risk of cancer is lower than if you smoke a cigarette every day. Two years ago, I had a patient who went through menopause at the age of 48. His bones hurt so much that he couldn't walk downstairs. At first, he refused to take hormones because he was afraid of getting breast cancer. Later, after a comprehensive evaluation, there were no contraindications. After taking it for half a year, he now has no problem going hiking with his old sisters, and his annual physical examination is normal.

Of course, if you do have contraindications or are concerned about hormones, there is no other way. The syndrome differentiation and conditioning of regular Chinese medicine is also very effective. For example, many people experience menopausal hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth and tongue, which are typical symptoms of yin deficiency and excessive fire. Using prescriptions such as Dian Zhibai Dihuang Pill, combined with daily rubbing of Sanyinjiao and Taixi points, can also relieve the symptoms. ； There are also people who like to lose their temper and have chest tightness, which is due to liver stagnation and qi stagnation. They use Xiaoyao Powder plus or minus, combined with Ba Duan Jin twice a week to clear the qi and blood. Many people report that their mood is much more stable. But here’s a word of warning: don’t go to any beauty salon for “ovarian care”. Those essential oils can’t even pass through the dermis and can’t touch the ovaries at all. It’s a waste of money. Some essential oils also add unknown hormones. Applying too much may cause problems.

Oh, by the way, some people have mild symptoms and don’t need to take medicine at all. Just adjusting their lifestyle is enough. Last month, a 49-year-old aunt came to me and said that she had hot flashes seven or eight times a day, which were not too serious, but just annoying. I did not prescribe her any medicine, but asked her to watch short videos for two hours every night, go to bed at 10:30, dance square dance with her old sisters for half an hour in the morning, drink less strong tea and milk tea, and drink a cup of 300ml pure soy milk every day. She came for a follow-up visit this month and said that now she only has hot flashes once or twice a week, her sleep is better, and it is more effective than any medicine. By the way, some people ask whether to eat royal jelly and snow clam to supplement estrogen. It is really not necessary. The hormone content in these foods is unstable, and eating too much can easily disrupt endocrine. A cup of soy milk and some soy products every day is enough. The soy isoflavones in it are mild phytoestrogens and are much safer.

There is one more thing I must say. Many people think that bad temper during menopause is their own problem, and their family members often use "Are you menopausal" to bully others? This is really wrong. Hormone fluctuations will directly affect the mood-regulating transmitters in the brain, which is not something you can endure if you want to. I once had an aunt who was only mildly irritable, but my husband said every day that she was looking for trouble. In the end, she became moderately anxious and had to go to a psychiatric hospital. It was not worth it. If you have a relative who is in menopause at home, helping her with housework and not getting into trouble with her will be more useful than buying many supplements.

Having said so much today, the core is actually one. Menopause is a normal physiological stage. It is the same as menstruation in adolescence, pregnancy and childbirth. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and there is no need to bear it. Everyone’s physique is different and their symptoms are also different. What works for others may not be suitable for you. If you really feel uncomfortable, go to the gynecology department or menopause clinic of a regular hospital for an evaluation. Do it as safely as you can, and spend these few years comfortably. There are still decades of good life waiting for you, right?