Menopause refers to a time in a woman's life when she stops menstruating and is no longer fertile because her estrogen (a hormone) level falls. The Mayo Clinic says that menopause occurs 12 months after the last menstrual cycle. Specific symptoms of menopause include irregular periods, mood swings, trouble sleeping and thinning of the hair. Menopause also leads to vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Menopause can lead to certain complications.
Coronary Heart Disease
The Mayo Clinic says that decreased levels of estrogen predispose women to coronary heart disease (CHD). This disease refers to a condition in which the blood vessels in or near the heart become constricted. This severely compromises blood flow.
Symptoms of CHD include a squeezing chest pain that results from activity or intense emotion, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Treatment for CHD involves reducing the level of bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein), reducing blood sugar and normalizing blood pressure. Medications such as beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics (water pills), calcium channel blockers, statins and nitrates can help do this. Also, certain surgical procedures can be performed to open up or bypass the blocked vessels. Such procedures include coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty and minimal invasive heart surgery, the National Institutes of Health says.
Urinary Incontinence
The Mayo Clinic says that vaginal and urinary tissues (urethra) can lose their elasticity and lead to urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence refers to the inability to control urine. Specific symptoms of urinary incontinence include leaking urine when laughing, coughing or walking, having the sudden need to urinate, dribbling urine or having the inability to make it to the bathroom in time.
Bladder training and scheduling trips to the bathroom are a few ways to manage urinary incontinence. Also, limiting fluid and performing pelvic exercises to strengthen the lower pelvic muscles may be beneficial. Medications such as topical estrogen, anticholinergics and imipramine may help manage urinary incontinence symptoms. Surgery is another treatment option.
Osteoporosis
Menopausal women are also prone to developing osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become weak. The NIH says that osteoporosis symptoms include brittle bones, bone fractures, a stooping posture (kyphosis), low back pain, neck pain, bone pain and a loss of height.
Not getting enough calcium and phosphate and decreased estrogen levels lead to osteoporosis.
Hormone replacement therapy and taking medications such as bisphophonates, calcitonin, raloxofine and teriparatide can help manage osteoporosis. Including calcium-rich foods in the diet and taking part in weight-bearing exercises can be beneficial.
