Print out these questions and answers to discuss with your doctor.
1. CanMenopauseCause a Woman's Voice to Change?
The majority of women do not experience a voice change duringmenopause. Rarely, some women may lose the upper register of voice.
2. What Can I Do About the Facial Hair I've Developed as a Result ofMenopause?
Although many women do not experience any additional facial hair growth, it can be a problem for some. There are a number ofhair removaloptions available to you, including waxing, depilatories (liquids or creams that remove body hair) and laser hair removal. Check with your doctor or a medical aesthetician to determine the right hair removal method for you and to ensure that it will not harm your skin.
3. Now That I've Begun Menopause, Do I Still Have to be Concerned AboutBirth Control?
You will know for sure that you have experienced menopause when you have not had your period for an entire year. Until you have gone one year without a period, you should still usebirth controlif you do not want to becomepregnant. You should continue to practicesafe sextechniques with use of latexcondomsto reduce risk ofsexually transmitted infection.
4. MyHot FlashesAren't As Intense As the Ones My Friends Describe. They're Actually More "Warm" Than "Hot." Is This Normal?
Whilehot flashes(or flushes) are very common inperimenopause,并不是所有的女性,并不是所有的flashes are of the same intensity. Hot flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a soundsleep(callednight sweats). Most hot flashes last 30 seconds to 5 minutes. They usually disappear within a few years after menopause. However, up to 10-15% of women experience hot flashes for years.
5. I'm Perimenopausal And Have Been Told That I Should be Taking Very-Low-DoseBirth Control Pills. Why?
Compared to regularbirth control pills, the lower dose of estrogen in very-low-dose pills may be safer for perimenopausal women. (Perimenopausebegins about 3 to 5 years before your final period.) While regular birth control pills contain 30 to 50 micrograms of estrogen, these low dose pills contain only 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.
6. What Are Some Other Benefits of Very-Low-Dose Birth Control Pills?
In addition to preventingpregnancy, the pills can regulate heavy or irregular menstrual periods and may provide protection from ovarian and子宫癌. The pills may also prevent bone loss, which can lead toosteoporosis. However, women with a history ofbreast cancer,blood clots, orheart disease, or women who smoke, should not take these pills.
7. How are hot flashes treated?
While menopausal hormone therapy (HRT) relieves hot flashes for many women, there are other drug treatments that may offer relief. These include bothover-the-counterand prescription therapies. Over-the-counter therapies you may want to try includeVitamin B complex,Vitamin E,Ibuprofenandsoyprotein found in foods.
Prescription treatments include:
- 是llergal-S, a combination medicine used to treat somesymptoms of menopause. However, based on side effects and the butalbital-an additive substance in Belergal-S-it isnotrecommended by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) www.menopause.org .
- Catapres,Catapres-TTSandAldomet官网地址bwinmedications. However, based on the side effects, thesedrugsare not recommended unless a woman hashypertension.
- AntidepressantsZoloft,Paxil,Effexor(Note: Paxil has been shown to reducetamoxifenlevels)
- Other hormones, such asProveraandMegace
8. Is Menopausal HT Safe?
As with all medicines, there are risks and benefits. Scientists continue to study the long-term effects of HT. The most recent study found thatPrempro, a type of menopausal HT, increased a woman's risk ofblood clotandstroke, and slightly increased the risk of being diagnosed withbreast cancer. Estrogen alone has not been shown to increase the risk ofbreast cancer. If you are concerned about taking menopausal HT, talk to your doctor; there are other options.
9. What Alternative Treatments Are Available?
Botanical products containing or acting likeestrogensmay provide some of the benefits of estrogen in relieving menopausal symptoms, but are not as well studied. Other botanicals, includingblack cohosh, have also shown promise for reducing menopausal symptoms. However, more research is needed to define the benefits and risks of these alternative treatments, and you should always check with your doctor before using them.
10. Sex Has Become Painful. What Can I Do to Make It More Enjoyable?
Thepainyou are experiencing during sex is likely due tovaginal drynessassociated with declining estrogen levels. There are a number of lubricants you can try. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a suggestion. There are local estrogen treatments-cream, tablets, and an estrogen ring-for women desiring treatment of vaginal atrophy.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland ClinicWomen's HealthCenter.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, March 2004.
Portions of this page copyright ©The Cleveland Clinic2000-2004
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