Menopause

Menopause

The end of ovulation

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the permanent end of your periods and fertility. Its’ onset varies from woman to woman, and the process may last several years. The average age for menopause in North America is 51; however, some women may have their last period in their forties or even in their late fifties. Regardless of age, women are considered to have “hit” menopause one year after their last period. The stage leading up to this is often referred to as “perimenopause.” It is during this stage that symptoms begin to develop.

Short-term symptoms and treatments

The annoying symptoms of menopause can be treated in several ways, both with medication and with herbal products. Even though the effectiveness of these products hasn’t been proven scientifically, black cohosh, evening primrose oil and flaxseed may help to alleviate symptoms.

Symptom	Treatments (drug or non-drug)
Irregular periods	Low-dose oral contraceptives
Vaginal dryness	Prescription vaginal creams and tables Vaginal gels and lubricants
Hot flashes	Stay in cool surroundings as much as possible Use a ventilator Wear light clothing Comments: Hormone Replacement Therapy is not recommended if you have a history of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, blot clots, liver disease or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Difficulty sleeping	Keep bedroom cool at night Establish a bedtime routine Try to reduce stress in your life

Long-term symptoms and treatments 

Symptoms	Treatments (with or without medication)
Mood swings	Exercise regularly Try to reduce stress in your life
Osteoporosis (loss of bone density – bones become brittle and may break more easily)	Adopt a healthy diet including calcium and vitamin D Participate regularly in light physical activity (e.g., walking)
Heart disease and stroke	Quit smoking Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake Exercise regularly Try to reduce stress in your life
Weight gain	Limit your alcohol intake as much as possible Eat a high-fibre, low-fat diet Exercise regularly
Weakness of pelvic floor and vaginal muscles	Exercise regularly Do Kegel exercises regularly
Urinary tract infections	Urinate when your bladder is full Drink plenty of liquids

A healthy active lifestyle during this transition period will help you keep feeling good about yourself.

The publication Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide provides information about the types of food and portions suggested to maintain good health. You can download it at the following address: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/f...

Pharmacy service 

Don’t hesitate to talk to your Accès pharma affiliated-pharmacist. They can answer your questions about possible treatments to help you better manage your symptoms.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice and Accès pharma affiliated pharmacist-owners cannot be held responsible for this information. The information was true and accurate at the time of publication, but it is subject to change.