Being More Comfortable at the Doctor’s Office

Posted on: 15 May 2015

When a woman enters menopause, she begins to exhibit some unpleasant symptoms that are directly related to the decreased amount of hormones in the body. Although the symptoms of menopause can vary from one woman to the next, there is no need to suffer from any of them. Below, you can learn more about the three of the most common menopause symptoms, and what your gynecologist can do to help.

Those Hateful Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are perhaps the single most common symptom of menopause. If you suddenly feel hot, especially in the top part of the body, it may be a hot flash. In particular, hot flashes tend to affect the neck, chest, and face. Your face may suddenly appear very flushed, and you may even start sweating suddenly in a hot flash. Hot flashes can range from less than a minute to as long as 10 minutes.

Your gynecologist can recommend several treatments for hot flashes. Estrogen pills are the most common treatment for hot flashes. Supplemental estrogen can help alleviate most, if not all, of the hot flashes. It may take some trial and error to arrive at the right dose of estrogen for you, but once the amount is correct you will be dramatically more comfortable.

That Darn Depression

Menopause can have a negative impact on not only the body, but also the mind. The hormonal changes can cause depression in many women. The depression can range from a mild sense of being a bit down to severe depressive episodes.

Your gynecologist can recommend some techniques for managing depression. Some of these techniques may be simple lifestyle changes like altering your sleep and eating habits. If you are interested in medication for depression, your gynecologist can suggest an anti-depressant that will alleviate your symptoms.

Those Ugly UTIs

Women in menopause may suffer from Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) more frequently than they did prior to menopause. The reduced estrogen causes changes in your urinary tract, which in turn makes you more vulnerable to infections in this area.

If you are feeling the urge to urinate with much increased frequency and you have pain when you urinate, you may have a UTI. When you notice these symptoms, they need to be addressed immediately. Your gynecologist can administer a urine test to determine whether you do have a UTI. If so, antibiotics are the standard treatment. If you take the antibiotics on schedule, you will often feel better within as little as a few days.

To learn more, contact a gynecologist like Ogeechee OB-GYN.