What -Is- Menopause?
Q: When I was growing up, I watched my mom go through menopause. It was pretty stereotypical, like you’d see in a TV sitcom. Lots of waving of paper fans at the face and complaining about the heat, and some mood swings. My memory of the time isn’t great, and I’m not at a point in my life where I’m facing menopause myself.
What I’m experiencing is very different from what I saw my mom experience. For one thing, it’s mostly just been extreme bloating so far, which makes sense since I already had stomach issues. That’s just my early symptoms, and my doctor said to expect more. What does menopause look like today? What’s normal and what’s not? And are there more modern treatments for it that they didn’t have back when my mom was going through it?
A: A woman is menopausal when she hasn’t had a period in a year. She can, however, be in peri-menopause for years prior. This means that she may experience symptoms. These symptoms are a result of the loss of estrogen that comes with aging. Not all women have all the symptoms. The usual symptoms that we can expect (but may be quite tolerable for many women) are night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. Menopause looks the same today as it always has, and the treatment is the same. However, back then, doctors would automatically prescribe hormone replacement therapy. These days, it is usually prescribed only to women who experience symptoms that they consider more debilitating and very difficult to live with. For vaginal dryness, there are now intravaginal estrogen treatments that have been well researched and found to be very safe (minimal risk for developing cancer for example). For a more extensive look at aging and sexuality, check out my book, The Sex Bible for People Over 50.
The New Normal
Q: Hi Dr. Laurie. I recently started going through menopause, and while some symptoms have yet to make an appearance, others have hit me quite hard. Perhaps the worst and most uncomfortable is the vaginal dryness. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I knew that it might happen, but I had no idea just how dry and unpleasant it could be.
Is there any way to combat it? I’m chugging water like it’s going out of style, but I was wondering if there are any vitamins or supplements that would help? It’s also so dry I’m wondering if you think it’s just menopause or that it could be a sign of something else. I’m really hoping I can find a way around this and that I don’t have to accept it as my new normal.
A: One of the most common and expected symptoms of menopause is indeed vaginal dryness. This can cause pain, especially with intercourse. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help you out. Ask your doctor for intravaginal estrogen suppositories/cream. These are safe and can be a real game-changer. Also, if you have intercourse, make sure you use lots of external lubricant (my go-to is silicone-based lube). I recommend you read my book, The Sex Bible for People Over 50, where you will get lots of tips and tricks to adapt to the changes that menopause brings.