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Menopause, also known as the "change of life," is a stage of a woman’s
reproductive cycle that occurs when ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing
the reproductive system to slowly shut down. It’s confirmed when 12 months have
passed since a woman's last menstrual period. Menopause can also occur when the
ovaries are
surgically removed. Most women experience menopause from 40 to 58 years
of age, with a median age of 51.4 years.
However, what most women actually experience is not an event but rather a
phase, like puberty. This phase, called premenopause or perimenopause, is the
transitional stage before complete cessation of the menstrual cycle. It usually
begins in a woman’s 40s. During this phase, a woman gradually stops ovulating
and her ovaries taper off their production of estrogen and progesterone.
The process of menopause usually is completely natural. This change, which can
occur throughout adulthood, can be prompted by surgical removal of the ovaries.
It can also result from severe damage to the ovaries, sometimes caused by
chemotherapy or radiation treatments. A hysterectomy (the removal of the
uterus) can result in an end to menstruation but will not bring about menopause
as long as the ovaries continue to function.
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Remember that while all women eventually go through menopause, each will have a
slightly different experience.
While menopause is associated with many physical and emotional symptoms, some
women experience no noticeable symptoms at all. Only a doctor can accurately
determine if symptoms indicate the onset of menopause and whether treatment may
be appropriate.
Symptoms to watch for include hot flashes, night sweats and associated sleep
disturbances and vaginal dryness. Hot flashes are common during menopause.
Eight-five percent of women experience this undesirable symptom. However, only
women with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms1
may want to consider hormone therapy.
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A doctor can evaluate your symptoms, taking into account your age, family
history and possibly hormone levels as determined by a simple blood test. It’s
helpful to bring a record of your last few menstrual periods to your checkup.
Women who have had hysterectomies and no longer menstruate can go through
menopause without noticeable symptoms. You should continue having regular
gynecological checkups, even after a hysterectomy.
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Actually, many women enjoy sex during this stage in life more than during any
other. There’s no more risk of pregnancy, and children are, for the most
part, grown and out of the house. Still, certain menopausal symptoms could
affect sexual intercourse. The good news is that these symptoms are
treatable. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Over time, the lack of estrogen reduces vaginal lubrication. Vaginal
tissue gradually becomes drier, thinner and less elastic, making sexual
intercourse painful and possibly causing vaginal irritation. This
shrinkage of tissue may also lead to difficulty urinating or burning
urination.
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Decreased levels of estrogen may cause
menopausal symptoms to occur. Not all menopausal symptoms1
can be treated with hormone therapy (HT). Usually, women with moderate to
severe hot flashes and vaginal dryness can be helped with HT.
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There are a number of lifestyle commitments you can make to help your menopausal experience be a positive one.
To learn more, see the sections on fitness and
nutrition.
In addition to lifestyle changes, you and your doctor will decide whether
hormone therapy (HT) is appropriate for you. If you’re a candidate for HT, you have several options to choose from. Estrogen and estrogen/progestin combinations come in several forms, including pills and patches. HT therapy, such as CombiPatch, has been proven to relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms1. In discussions with your doctor,
be sure to consider the
risks associated with HT.
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You should not use estrogens and progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks,
strokes or dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills). Using estrogens with
progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and
blood clots, and may increase your risk of dementia.
You should not use a combination hormone therapy (with estrogen and progestin), like
CombiPatch, if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). Hormone therapy should
not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain
cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the
recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots;
currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are,
pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur are breast pain, vaginal bleeding and headache.
You and your health care professional should talk regularly about whether you still
need hormone treatment and if you are taking the lowest dose that works for you.
If you use CombiPatch only to treat dryness, itching and burning in and around your
vagina, talk with your health care professional about whether a different treatment
or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
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Many women find that HT relieves moderate to severe menopausal symptoms1,
including bothersome hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
If you use CombiPatch only to treat dryness, itching and burning in and around your vagina,
talk with your health care professional about whether a different treatment or medicine
without estrogens might be better for you.
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