Our health is determined by many factors — eating and exercise habits, family medical history, ability to manage stress, and sometimes even luck, to name a few. These circumstances ultimately shape how healthy we are (or are not) in the future. But there’s one health-related condition that affects every woman later in life: menopause.
If you are a woman, it’s inevitable — you will go through menopause at some point in your life. The average age women experience menopause in the United States is 51 to 52 years. If you are close to this age and haven’t had a period for 12 months, you are likely in menopause. Perimenopause usually lasts about seven to ten years prior to the start of menopause.
Jessica Yoakam, MD, FAAFP, MSCP, is a Board-certified family physician with AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Prairie Star in Lenexa. She specializes in women’s health, including menopause care, and is also a Menopause Society certified practitioner.
“Many women begin noticing cycle changes in their early to mid-40s,” said Dr. Yoakam. “These changes may affect the duration of the cycle, the time between cycles and the severity of bleeding. It’s best for women to talk with their doctor yearly at their well-woman exam to be sure the changes are within normal limits.”
You may also experience hot flashes during the day or night, interrupted sleep, changes in weight and weight distribution, and mood swings. As menopause gets closer, women may start to skip periods.
While some women notice few changes, others experience uncomfortable symptoms for years and turn to their physician for relief.
“Menopause is not a disease that needs to be treated,” said Dr. Yoakam. “I recommend treating symptomatic menopause, so it is very individualized. Each patient comes to me with a unique experience, and we often focus on the most bothersome symptoms.”
Treatments range from non-hormonal prescription medications to traditional hormone replacement options such as estrogen and progesterone. Finding the best treatment for symptom relief is based on each woman’s individual circumstances.
“Hormone replacement therapy, used in the right patient at the right time, is very beneficial,” said Dr. Yoakam. “However, there are special situations where hormones should not be used; therefore, this is a very personal decision between a woman and her provider.”
It’s important to prioritize your annual exam and talk with your primary care physician or gynecologist about the best option for you.
“Be sure your provider knows your health history, including your family medical history,” said Dr. Yoakam. “I also recommend that women get FDA-approved treatments, as many treatments being used are not FDA-approved.”
So what can women do in their younger years to make this transition easier later in life?
According to Dr. Yoakam, the best way to be proactive is to take care of yourself. Life may be busy with work and family obligations, but it’s crucial to take time for your own health.
Here’s six important tips from Dr. Yoakam about how to master menopause.
- Get 150 minutes of exercise each week.
- Incorporate light weights two to three times per week into your exercise routine to maintain bone and muscle health.
- Eat a heart healthy diet, including fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein.
- Maintain a healthy weight with a BMI of 25 or less.
- Know your risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. Maintain good blood pressure and cholesterol levels to protect against heart attacks and strokes.
- Stay up-to-date on routine health screenings:
- Breast cancer screening: Routine mammograms start at age 40, or earlier if you have a significant family history.
- Colon cancer screening: Start at age 45, or earlier depending on family history.
- Cervical cancer screening: You should be screened every three to five years, depending on whether you receive a Pap smear alone or a Pap smear with HPV testing.
- Skin exams: Get a yearly skin check and wear sunscreen in direct sunlight.
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening: If sexually active, get regular STI screenings, use appropriate contraceptives and condoms, and consider the HPV vaccine.
To learn more about menopause, visit the North American Menopause Society at menopause.org. To find a primary care provider at AdventHealth specializing in women’s care, visit AdventHealthKC.com/PrimaryCare.
