But its not a disease that needs to be cured; its a normal part of life.
Its in this lack of knowledge that menopause myths are often formed.
These symptoms can be mild for some people but downright debilitating for others.
No matter the severity, many people with physical menopause symptoms dont always feel empowered to seek treatment.
Not all menopause symptoms have to be severe to warrant treatment, she says.
Take hot flashes, for example.
OB/GYN in Santa Monica, California, and medical co-founder of Perelel
On average, patients get hot flashes for seven to 10 years, says Dr. Patil.
Thats a long time to wait it out to feel better.
So dont discount your doctors support when it comes to hot flashes and any other symptoms.
Its one of the best treatments available to ease hot flashes and night sweats and improve vaginal dryness.
The goal isnt to use HRT forever, though.
Long-term use is where the risks can typically increase.
Together, you and your doctor can discuss whether any form of HRT makes sense to try.
There are other options out there.
CBT has been found to be extremely helpful for people going through menopause, says Dr. Patil.
OB/GYN in Santa Monica, California, and medical co-founder of Perelel
But this is not true.
Compounded hormone therapy is mixed and sold at compounding pharmacies, which usually sell other herbal and natural medications.
But this is a very unsupported claim.
In fact, compounded hormone therapy may actually beriskierthan traditional HRT.
For this reason,ACOGonly recommends FDA-approved HRT, not compounded therapies.
Whats more, these so-called natural hormones tend to be more expensive.
Plummeting estrogen and testosterone levels can affect your sexual desire.
This is a common menopause symptom, as a May 2017 survey in theJournal of Sexual Medicine3pointed out.
But these arent changes you simply have to accept, says Dr. Ross.
Vaginal dryness does not have to ruin a sexual relationship with your partner.
Vibrators can also make orgasms easier to achieve during menopause.
Some, or all, of these treatment options will improve a womans sex drive, says Dr. Ross.
Vaginal dryness is not a change you simply have to accept.
It does not have to ruin a sexual relationship with your partner.
Once youve missed 12 consecutive periods, youre officially in menopause, according toThe North American Menopause Society.
There will be times during the transition [to menopause] when ovulation does occur, she says.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionsU.S.
Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Useclears the use of combined hormonal contraception up to age 55.
But menopause is a normal part of life, and there are treatments out there that provide relief.
Ultimately, despite the misconceptions, life can still feel fun, healthy, and fulfilling during menopause.
BMC Womens Health, 14 Jul.
2023, https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-023-02506-w. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
Is cognitive behaviour therapy an effective option for women who have troublesome menopausal symptoms?
British Journal of Health Psychology, 08 Jun.
2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8453849/.
Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
Journal of Sex Medicine, 14 May 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28499520/.
Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
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