| What are my birth control options? |
Menopause technically means the "end of menstruation". What is readily apparent to any woman entering this phase of life - the symptoms can begin as many as ten years before the period ends. This transition time is known as peri-menopause. Many symptoms we associate with menopause actually begin during the peri-menopause as the estrogen levels are decreasing. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
| What is Menopause? When a female is born her ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of eggs. This number of eggs decreases through the years during ovulation. |
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Throughout the childbearing years, not all of a woman’s eggs reach maturity and are released. Each month the eggs that did not reach maturity were reabsorbed by the body. As a woman approaches menopause, only a few thousand eggs are left.
Beginning in the early 30's, the levels of estrogen and progesterone produced by a woman’s ovries starts to decline. |
This decline escalates when they enter peri-menopause - usually three to five years up to menopause. When the supply of eggs is finally exhausted, ovulation stops. The levels of estrogen and progesterone eventually drop so low that menstruation stops. A woman knows she has passed menopause when she has no periods for 12 months.
When Can I Expect to Enter Menopause? The average age of menopause is 51, although the normal age is from 45 to 55. One way you can predict what age you will be is to ask your mother or sisters how old they were. Often women begin and end their menstrual life about the same age as their mother did.
| What Can I Expect with Menopause? The diminishing amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries produces changes in the body. These changes occur slowly over time and are different for everyone. Some women notice very little change while other women find it difficult to cope with the dramatic symptoms caused by these changes. |
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- Hot Flashes - Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause. They are probably the symptom most associated with menopause, with as many as 75% of women experiencing them. A hot flash is a sudden rush of heat that spreads over the upper body and face. Some women experience a simple warming; others have acute flashes with sweating. Hot flashes can occur any time of the day or night. They usually last from thirty seconds to several minutes. Some women have hot flashes for a few months, other women complain about them for years. Other women do not have hot flashes at all.
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- Sleep Difficulties - Many women complain of problems with sleep as they enter menopause. Some women are awoken from a deep sleep by hot flashes. Others have a harder time getting to sleep or staying asleep.
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- Vaginal and Urinary Tract Changes - The loss of estrogen causes changes in the walls of the vagina. Some women experience vaginal problems during peri-menopause, others don't have symptoms until they are well past menopause. The vaginal lining becomes thinner, dryer, and less elastic as you age. You may have burning or itching. Some women have bleeding or burning with intercourse. The bladder and urethra can lose muscle tone with lower levels of estrogen. This can lead to a loss of bladder control. You may notice leakage when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or exercise.
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- Bone and Body Changes - Lower estrogen levels can result in osteoporosis. The bones lose density and become fragile. Older women are more likely to break bones. The hip, wrist, and spine are the bones most likely to break.
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- Emotional Changes - Minor emotional distress can occur with the changes associated with menopause, along with the social changes that can occur in a woman's life. Contrary to prior belief, studies show there is no increase in serious psychiatric disorders in women entering menopause. The emotional distress felt by most women comes from sleep disturbances or other nuisance symptoms. This is also the time of life when many women's lives may be in an upheaval due to their children leaving home or they may become caretaker for an aging parent. Menopausal symptoms make the stress you are normally under harder to cope with.
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Sexuality Many women find sex to be more rewarding after menopause. They no longer have to worry about birth control and may now have more time to spend with their partners. Some women though, find the changes with menopause do have an impact on their sexuality. They may have vaginal dryness or may lose interest in sex.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and vaginal lubricants can help return moisture and elasticity to the vagina and make intercourse more comfortable. There are many vaginal lubricants or moisturizers that can be bought over the counter. If you have been having sexual intercourse on a regular basis, you may not notice vaginal changes with menopause. Regular sex may help the vagina retain its natural elasticity.
A decrease in libido, or sexual drive, can occur with menopause. Lower hormone levels may decrease your sex drive or may affect your ability to have orgasm. Hormone replacement therapy can help some of these changes. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your concerns. Trying different positions and engaging in longer foreplay may also help.
Birth Control You will need to use birth control until you have not had a period for one year. Despite having menopausal symptoms, you can still get pregnant.
| You can choose from the following birth control methods: |
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- Birth control pills - A low dose birth control pill is safe for many women over 40 who do not smoke. Since the pills contain estrogen, they can alleviate the menopausal symptoms you may be having in the peri-menopausal period.
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- Barrier Methods - condoms, diaphragm, and spermicides are easily attainable at the pharmacy. Lubricated condoms may help with vaginal dryness, as can spermicides in jelly or cream form.
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- Intrauterine device (IUD)
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- Hormonal injections (Depo-Provera)
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- Sterilization - male or female
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Diet and Exercise As you enter menopause, you should pay close attention to the amount of calcium you are receiving in your diet. Women over the age of 50 should be getting 1,000 mg of calcium each day if they are on hormone replacement therapy, 1,500 mg each day if they are not. The calcium is important to help build strong bones. Ask your pharmacist which calcium supplements contain calcium carbonate, as these brands are best at slowing bone loss.
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Eating a balanced diet will help you stay healthy before, during, and after menopause. It is important to eat a variety of foods to make sure you get all the essential nutrients. Exercise is very important as you get older. Regular exercise slows bone loss and improves your overall health. Walking and aerobics are good weight-bearing exercises. |
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