Controlling menopause: One size doesn’t fit all
Controlling menopause: One size doesn’t fit all
Counseling reveals options to fit women’s lifestyle
It is probably safe to say that no two women experience menopause in the same way. That’s why Debbie DeAngelo, RN, BSN, a health educator at Hamot Health Connection, the women’s center at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA, provides individual counseling about nutrition, vitamins, and hormone-replacement therapy to control symptoms.
"I don’t believe that one size fits all for anything, whether it is vitamins, hormone-replacement therapy, or nutrition. I think it depends on women’s lifestyle, their diet, family history, and their goals," she says.
Prior to a counseling appointment at Hamot Health Connection, women complete a health profile so that DeAngelo knows their family history, what their health screenings have revealed, their symptoms, and what they are using to control symptoms from vitamins to hormone-replacement therapy.
Clients vary in age. The age range for natural menopause is 45-55, with an average age of 51. If a woman begins going through menopause on the early side of the age spectrum, she will start having symptoms a few years in advance. In their late thirties or early forties, some women find that their menstrual periods change, they begin having vaginal dryness, hot flashes, or night sweats.
Another group of women begins experiencing menopausal symptoms in a matter of hours because of a hysterectomy in which their ovaries are removed, or in a matter of months because of chemotherapy or pelvic radiation. "These women struggle with the same symptoms but to a more severe degree because menopause has come on so fast their body doesn’t have time for the hormones to transition over a period of years," says DeAngelo.
For many women, changes in their menstrual cycle are the first signs of menopause. They will become irregular, lighter, shorter, heavier, longer, all across the board, she says. Other common signs include interrupted sleep, night sweats, or hot flashes. Some symptoms women don’t associate with menopause. These include mood swings, mild anxiety or depression, cognitive changes such as short-term memory loss, or a drop in their sex drive.
"With natural menopause, what usually triggers those symptoms is the fact that a woman’s hormone levels are fluctuating and declining at the same time, and that triggers some hormonal chaos," DeAngelo explains. However, a woman’s body adjusts over a period of two to four years, and the symptoms level off.
When a woman first begins experiencing menopausal symptoms, a visit to her physician is in order. That’s because women should not automatically assume that the symptoms are a sign of menopause, especially if they are experiencing them at an early age. They could be a sign of a thyroid dysfunction or some other health problem.
Quality-of-life issue
Menopause is not a medical problem; however, those who experience menopausal symptoms want to alleviate them to improve their quality of life, says DeAngelo. Therefore, she focuses on lifestyle counseling, first examining diet. "I determine if women are getting enough protein that is equally distributed throughout the day, because that makes a big difference with their mood, their energy level, and brain functioning," says DeAngelo
She also determines if women are eating enough fruits and vegetables. Women worry about taking vitamins to fortify their immune system and help with symptoms, but supplements won’t help if they aren’t getting adequate nutrition, says DeAngelo.
Other important dietary changes include incorporating omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats into their diet. The strategy is to improve cholesterol and provide symptomatic relief from menopause as well. She also may add soy products and flaxseed to the diet to help manage menopause symptoms, build bone density, and reduce cholesterol level. When estrogen levels drop, women can be at increased risk for a heart attack and osteoporosis.
DeAngelo always asks women to bring their supplements with them to the counseling appointment. Usually, they are taking all kinds of vitamins for a variety of reasons. They may have helped a friend or were recommended by a clerk in a health food store. "I try to get them on a vitamin regimen that is beneficial and safe," she says.
Most menopausal women want to see if lifestyle changes and natural techniques help before they consider hormone-replacement therapy. However, she does go over the advantages and disadvantages of hormone-replacement therapy and the differences in the variety of products available. For example, estrogen is effective for relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, and helps build bone density. However, it wouldn’t be the best option for women with heart disease because it increases their risk of a heart attack, she says.
It’s important that women understand all the options for management of menopausal symptoms. "If you give women alternatives and they know the consequences of their actions. that is the basis of an informed decision," says DeAngelo.
[Editor’s note: Debbie DeAngelo went through menopause at the age of 26 following a hysterectomy due to ovarian cancer. In an effort to manage her menopause, she did a lot of research, experimented, and talked to other women. As a result, she was able to help herself and her patients and was prompted to write a book.
Sudden Menopause: Restoring Health & Emotional Well-Being, published by Hunter House, is available in bookstores and on Amazon.com for $15.95 plus tax. It is written for women who experience unanticipated menopause due to hysterectomy, chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, premature ovarian failure, and anorexia.]
Source
For more information about counseling women on their options for managing menopausal symptoms, contact:
- Debbie DeAngelo, RNC, BSN, Health Educator, Hamot Health Connection, 3330 Peach St., Erie, PA 16508. E-mail: [email protected].
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