Menopause refers to the stopping of menstruation and the cessation of ovulation. Most women experience it between the ages 45 and 60. During menopause, estrogen levels decrease. Menopause can also occur for reasons other than natural causes. Treatments for cancer can induce premature menopause if the ovaries are damaged by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some women report that multi-vitamins help improve their menopausal symptoms. However, you should not take multi-vitamins without first talking to your doctor.
Multi-vitamins and Menopause
Inconsistent evidence suggests that taking multi-vitamin preparations may provide relief for some menopausal symptoms. The use of multi-vitamins also improves disease resistance under stressful conditions. The B6 vitamin is especially important for women over the age of 50. It reduces nighttime hot flashes or night sweats and improves sleep. The recommended daily allowance for B6 vitamin is between 100 and 200 mg.
Precautions
High doses of vitamins may be dangerous. For example, excessive amounts of B6 vitamin appear to cause peripheral nerve problems, memory disorder and convulsions, according to a 1996 study by the University of Michigan. Talk with your doctor about the best vitamin regimen for you.
Menopausal Symptoms
Hot flashes are common in peri- and postmenopausal women. As many as 75 percent of menopausal women in the United States report hot flashes. They are sudden waves of upper body heat with sweating and flushing that can last up to four minutes. Menopausal symptoms can manifest in the form of psychological changes -- such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and forgetfulness, as well as vaginal dryness, abnormal vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge.
When to See A Doctor
Talk with your doctor if you are starting to have the first symptoms of perimenopause. Menopause is usually diagnosed when a woman stops having menstrual periods for a full year, and several tools can be used to confirm the diagnosis. A FSH test checks your follicle-stimulating hormone level. High FSH level indicates that your body is entering menopause.
References
- Arizona State University: Take a Daily Multivitamin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); Steven D. Ehrlich; June 18, 2009
- University of Michigan: Excessive Doses of Vitamin B6 Can Be Dangerous; Deborah Gilbert; August 13, 1996
- Mayo Clinic: Menopause Symptoms
- Medical News Today: Managing Early-Onset Menopause
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