Gynaecology Services - Menopause

Menopause is the time when monthly periods end. It is a normal process in a woman's life and usually happens between the age of 42 and 55. The decrease in hormones means the lining of the womb does not thicken and need to be shed, so there is no blood loss, or period.

Physical changes that happen in Menopause

• Periods often become irregular and then stop

• Ovaries get smaller and produce fewer eggs

• Less of the female hormones oestrogen and

• Progesterone are produced.

Menopause - Things You May Experience

Changes in your bleeding patterns. You may have a longer time between periods, missed periods, heavy periods, periods closer together, a gradual decrease in bleeding, or your periods may just stop.
See your doctor if you have bleeding between periods, heavy or extended bleeding, or start bleeding again a year or more after your periods stopped.

Increased Premenstrual Syndrome

You may experience more discomfort before your period than usual.

Hot Flushes and Sweats

You may feel a sudden wave of heat spreading through your face and neck and sometimes the rest of your body. Your face may go slightly red and sweaty. Although you may be very aware of these changes they are not always obvious to other people. You may wake in the night covered in sweat.

Dry Vagina

With less oestrogen the walls of the vagina become thinner and this can cause dryness. A dry vagina may make intercourse uncomfortable. A water-based lubricant can help, or your doctor may prescribe an oestrogen cream. Infections such as thrush (candida) are more likely after menopause. You may also find you need to pass urine more frequently.

Palpitations

A fluttering sensation in your chest that may last for a few seconds or minutes is called a palpitation. It may be related to menopause but can have other causes like anxiety or caffeine. If palpitations are happening often, see your doctor.

Other symptoms

At menopause you may notice you are more likely to be tired, anxious, forgetful, depressed, irritable. You may feel a loss of concentration, loss of confidence and mood changes.  Weight gain is common.

Menopause & Hysterectomy

Women who have had a hysterectomy may still feel symptoms. Even when ovaries have been removed you may still have symptoms, in fact symptoms may be worse after ovaries have been removed.

Self Care

Understanding what is happening and a positive approach will help during this stage of your life. Looking after yourself is always important.

• Make sure you have a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit. Reduce fat, sugar and salt.
• Bone strength improves with plenty of calcium found in milk, cheese and yoghurt. Calcium supplements are available if you are not getting the recommended 800 mgs per day in your diet.
• Exercise regularly for half an hour three times a week. Walking, swimming, dancing, tennis, aerobics, etc, help general fitness and make you feel good.
• Think positively, knowing that you are not losing your femininity or ability to respond sexually. Some women enjoy sex more when they don't have the worry of becoming pregnant.
• Use relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation to help deal with stress.
• Reduce the use of tobacco and alcohol.

After Menopause

Lack of oestrogen after menopause can increase the likelihood of:

• Osteoporosis - calcium loss and the gradual thinning and weakening of bones with age. Prevention begins well before menopause by regular intake of calcium in food, especially dairy products. Calcium supplements are also available in tablet form.

Getting Help

You may want to discuss menopause with a doctor, especially if the symptoms are interfering with your daily life.

Some branches of the New Zealand Family Planning Association hold regular sessions about menopause. You could contact your nearest branch listed under Family Planning in the phone book.

Books about Menopause

Your local library or bookshop will have books on menopause. Some suggested titles are:

Menopause by Raewyn Mackenzie (AB & AW Reed, 1987)

Ourselves Growing Older by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective (Collins, 1989)

Women in Mid Life by Leteia Potter (New Women's Press, Auckland, 1991)