You can never know when your body will hit the ‘menopause button’ and when it does, it is expected that you will feel some of the symptoms associated with it.
It’s common to hear some of the symptoms associated with this natural occurrence. Some tend to say – It’s part of a woman’s life, it marks the end of her child-bearing era, there are some symptoms associated with it which will fade away eventually but could it impact a woman’s health in the long run?
The answer – it possibly could! Though, how can it be prevented?
We speak to Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Ho Choon Moy for some answers.
1Twenty80: Is it true that there are short term and long-term symptoms of menopause?
Dr. Ho Choon Moy: Short term symptoms usually last for a few years and disappear over time. The commonest are vasomotor symptoms which consist of hot flushes and night sweats. These may lead to less restorative sleep and hence, leaving women feeling tired and cranky the next day. Other short-term symptoms are mood swings, depression, weight gain, generalised body aches and so on.
The long term symptoms include vaginal dryness, painful sexual intercourse, recurrent urinary tract infection and urinary incontinence which are known as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). These symptoms usually become significant three to four years after the last period. These symptoms do not improve but get worse over time.
1Twenty80: Why do these symptoms occur?
Dr. Ho: These symptoms occur during this stage because of estrogen deficiency which is a consequence of menopause.
1Twenty80: What are some complications associated with menopause?
Dr. Ho: Complications of menopause include heart diseases, osteoporosis and dementia.
1Twenty80: How common are these complications?
Dr. Ho: Cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the main causes of death among women in Malaysia. It is two and a half times more common as a cause of death than all cancers combined.
Osteoporosis related fractures on the other hand, have been recognised as a major health problem in postmenopausal women. The common sites of fracture are the spine, wrist and hip. Hip fractures are associated with high morbidity and a mortality rate of up to 20 percent in the first year. Majority of those who survive are disabled and only 25 percent will resume normal activities.
1Twenty80: Can these health risks be prevented or controlled? How?
Dr. Ho: Increase your awareness, lead a healthy lifestyle, plus early detection with appropriate investigation and management is important. The risk factors are high cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes. Presenting symptoms for heart disease and stroke in women may be atypical and diagnosis may be missed. Prognosis for women following a heart attack and stroke is poorer than in men.
Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable. There are many medications available for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
1Twenty80: What increases the risk of these complications?
Dr. Ho: An unhealthy lifestyle and a decline in estrogen levels after menopause increases the risk of these complications.
1Twenty80: Are there any steps young women can take to reduce any of these complications associated with menopause?
Dr. Ho: Nutrition is important during bone growth as well as ageing. In addition to ensuring adequacy of calcium and vitamin D, a balanced diet throughout life is important for bone health.
Maintenance of adequate protein intake is important especially in the elderly. Cigarette smoking increases osteoporotic fracture risk and thus should be avoided. Excessive intake of alcohol should be avoided because alcohol has detrimental effects on fracture risk. Regular physical activity, in particular weight-bearing exercise like brisk walking and line dancing are encouraged in all age groups in order to maximise peak bone mass, decrease age-related bone loss, maintain muscle strength and balance.
1Twenty80: How important is a routine gynaecological check after menopause?
Dr. Ho: It is extremely important for all women to do regular gynaecological check up because diseases like cervical cancer and uterine cancer are preventable.
For example, the pre-cancer stage of the cervix can be detected by a Pap smear. Pre-cancer of the uterus known as uterine hyperplasia can be detected on ultrasound and confirmed by an endometrial sampling and histopathological examination. If women are treated at the pre-cancer stage, the cure rate is almost 100 percent. Ovarian cancer can be detected early through a routine ultrasound. A routine bone DEXA scan can be done for detection of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
1Twenty80: What is your advice to women experiencing these complications?
Dr. Ho: Please see your doctor as soon as possible because treatment is available.
