Addressing menopausal problems

MENOPAUSE can be a difficult time for women, their partners and families. The range of feelings experienced during this time can be surprisingly debilitating, causing distress, anxiety and pressure on relationships, both at home and work.

Taman Desa Medical Centre consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Ong Hean Choon said menopausal women go through medical issues short-term (six months to two years after menopause), medium-term (two to five years) and long-term (five years onwards).

Short-term issues are the vasomotor complaints which include hot flushes, sweating, insomnia and emotional mood swings. All these are very distressing and disturbing to menopausal women and they can be irritable as well, said Dr Ong.

Medium-term issues comprise psychological, bladder and vaginal problems which are related to sexual problems. They may also have dry, lustreless and dull skin.

Meanwhile, long-term issues include cardiovascular diseases, bone problems, osteoporosis and fractures. Women are also prone to colon cancer during this stage of menopause because of low oestrogen levels.

They may experience deterioration of brain function which include memory lapses and lack of concentration especially when reading or doing work. Then there are issues like arthritis as well, he adds.

LONG-TERM CONCERN Dr Ong, also a menopause consultant, believes that women are usually more concerned about short- and medium-term problems because these affect their lifestyle. But he feels they should be more concerned about the long-term problems.

Long-term medical problems might incapacitate them in the long run. If not addressed, it may lead to fatality, like massive heart attack or colon cancer. Doctors are more concerned about long-term problems, he says.

The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, unprovoked palpitations and panic attacks, mood swings, tiredness and chronic exhaustion.

Some women experience reduced short-term memory and poor concentration, depression, dry itchy skin, thinning of hair and nails, headache, leg cramps and weight gain.

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Addressing menopausal problems