Q. Am I menopausal and what to I do if I am?
A: Dr Melize De Villiers at Health Matters Ballito says:
Are you feeling emotional, irritable, struggling to sleep due to hot flushes, or just feeling different within yourself?
Menopause symptoms can vary, and the most telling sign is that your cycles will become irregular and eventually stop (although this irregularity can last a couple of months or years).
Your doctor can diagnose menopause on a blood test along with your history, and clinical exam.
So, first things first, get diagnosed and exclude other causes of these symptoms.
Do the basics first:
A thorough medical exam (as blood pressure and other factors change during this time), and get up to date with your mammograms and papsmears.
Don’t know if you should be having these?
It’s simple – if you have the parts, they need to be serviced!
The frequency depends on individual history and risk factors and this should be discussed with your doctor.
Now is also a good time to add a bone density scan to the list of check ups, to diagnose osteoporosis.
Also add calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D to your shopping list.
Sunlight and weight bearing exercise help improve bone density so why not do a Pilates class outside in your garden?
Flushes getting the better of you?
Try natural remedies like primrose oil and sage.
Let go of the negative stigma around HRT – it could change your life!
Remember that all hormone treatment should be discussed on an individual basis with your doctor.
Embrace womanhood, just like you have done for the last 50 years, and don’t let the hot flushes get you hot under the collar!
