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Article Series: Menopause
Menopause Symptoms and Relief
Menopause:
8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Menopause can be a frightening change for
many women. With such varying symptoms, it’s important to know
the facts before you embark on any treatments. Here’s a list
of eight questions you should ask your health care provider.
1.
Could my symptoms be due to a condition other than menopause?
(Be ready with a diary of symptoms - the character, frequency,
duration, intensity, triggers, etc.)
It’s very important that you consult your health care provider
and explain to them all the symptoms you’ve shown. It is possible
that other more serious problems can masquerade as menopause
and may require further treatment. Make sure to have a list
ready of all the symptoms you suffer from.
2.
What are the medications that I might consider to control
my menopause symptoms?
There are a wide variety of medications available to treat
menopause. They can range from herbal supplements to hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) to making simple dietary changes,
such as cutting out caffeine and alcohol. But because each
menopause experience is unique, it is important that you contact
your health care provider to determine which treatment is best
for you.
3.
If I choose to use hormone therapy, what are the advantages
and disadvantages of the various routes of administration (pill,
patch, cream, vaginal, etc.)?
HRT is used to relieve short-term symptoms of menopause, such
as night sweats, hot flashes, and disturbed sleep, and is thought
to be useful in preventing or alleviating bone loss associated
with osteoporosis. But for some women, hormone replacement
therapy may not be the most effective treatment available.
Talk to your health care provider about which method of treatment
would best suit you, as there is such a wide variety available.
4.
What are the side effects of hormone therapy, and how does
my individual health/family history affect my decision to take
hormone therapy?
Short-term side effects include unusual vaginal discharge
and bleeding, headaches, nausea, fluid retention and swollen
breasts. Some women think HRT causes them gain weight, but
research shows this to be an unfounded claim. Long-term risks
include Cancer. If estrogen is taken alone, it may elevate
the risk of endometrial cancer (lining of the uterus), however,
adding progestin with estrogen (HRT) can dramatically reduce
this risk. The effects (HRT) vary according to your body and
you heredity, so you must consult a knowledgeable professional
before choosing a treatment
5.
If I choose a non-hormonal prescription medication that
is not FDA-approved for menopause symptoms (such as a serotonin
medication), what is the scientific evidence that it works?
It is imperative to gather as much information about these
non-approved remedies as you can. Make sure you gather a list
of alternative treatments and discuss each one in detail. Ask
questions and find out if any of these treatments are right
for you. Also, pay close attention to the long and short-term
side effects of each remedy.
6.
How do the side effects differ among the various non-hormonal
prescription medications commonly used for menopause symptoms?
Each menopause experience is unique to the individual. So
each treatment will affect you differently than it may affect
another woman. Be sure to tell your health care provider about
any other medications or medical complications when inquiring
about prescription medications.
7.
Given that long-term safety is not yet established for
any of the herbal or food supplement (over-the-counter) remedies,
are any proven effective by reliable scientific trials?
It is always important to ask questions about treatment you
are thinking of starting. Find out as much scientific evidence
as you can before you embark on one of these treatments. Ask
your health care provider to supply you with written materials
(if they exist) on any unproven remedies you may want to try.
8.
What are the herbal and/or food supplement remedies that
women commonly buy to treat menopause symptoms, and what are
the side effects of these remedies?
There are a wide variety of herbal and dietary supplements
for you to choose from. Ask your health care provider for a
list of herbal supplements. Have them explain the benefits
and side effects for each one. Then, you’ll be able to make
an informed decision on which, if any, will work for you. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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