5 Tips for Taking Good Care of Yourself
Just as there’s no guarantee which medical menopause symptoms you’ll experience, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing those symptoms either, Walker says.
People experiencing menopause symptoms due to chemotherapy or ovary removal may require different treatment and care than individuals undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy and experiencing medical menopause as part of their transition.
“The management of medical menopause is highly individualized, and treatment options should be discussed with a healthcare provider,” Walker says.
You want that doctor to know their stuff, too. “It is important to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who can provide guidance on the most appropriate treatment options for each individual patient,” Shaw says.
1. Talk to a Doctor About What You’re Experiencing
Your doctor can’t help you if they don’t know what you’re going through, so talk to them about your symptoms, Dr. Patel says.
Once they know what you’re up against, they may be able to suggest lifestyle changes that could help, he says, such as getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly, as well as medical treatments.
Ideally, your doctor lets you know when to expect symptoms of medical menopause before they start.
2. Explore Hormone Therapy
One of the most commonly recommended treatments for medical menopause is hormone therapy (HT), sometimes called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
To manage symptoms of medical menopause, people may consider HRT, which involves taking estrogen, progesterone, or both to replace the hormones that the body is no longer producing, Walker says.
HT is not to be confused with gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), which is when transgender people use hormone therapy as part of their medical transition.
GAHT for transgender men and other gender nonconforming individuals can lead to medical menopause. These people shouldn’t take systemic hormone therapy, as it might interfere with their transition. However, they may benefit from using a topical estrogen cream to treat vaginal dryness and atrophy, for example.
Speak with your healthcare provider about whether hormone therapy is appropriate for you.
3. Explore Other Medications
Seeing a doctor for treatment for medical menopause can help you get access to prescription medications that can manage or reduce symptoms. These medical treatments won’t make menopause stop; they simply make the symptoms easier to tolerate.
Options include the following medications:
- Vaginal estrogen, which can be applied via a cream, ring, or tablet to reduce vaginal dryness and other urinary symptoms
- Low-dose antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which may reduce hot flashes and mood symptoms
- Gabapentin, a nerve medication, which can reduce nighttime hot flashes
- Osteoporosis medications, which can help prevent or treat bone loss
- Fezolinetant, a nonhormonal medication that treats hot flashes and night sweats
4. Implement Lifestyle Changes
One of the best things you can do to manage medical menopause is foster relaxation and calm in your life.
“HRT can help alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause, but it is not suitable for everyone,” Shaw says. “Other options include lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress-reduction techniques.”
5. Find Your Community
Community support can be key for navigating medical menopause, says Kryss Shane, PhD, a licensed master social worker and professor. “The collective of those who do not fit the traditional experience of menopause is growing,” Dr. Shane says. “Internet communities offering guidance and support prove to be invaluable resources.”
Online or in-person support groups can help you feel like you’re not alone. Knowing that other people have been where you are can create a sense of relief and validation that your experience is understood by at least one other person.
Read the full article here
