DENVER — We ask Dr. Lydia Hostetler about the ups and downs associated with menopause. Q.
How do we know that menopause is starting? A. The definition of menopause is “no menstrual cycle for twelve months,” but no one knows when that final menstrual cycle is going to happen. The time before that is called perimenopause.
The only thing that’s predictable is that it’s unpredictable. It’s like puberty going in reverse. Q.
Are there effective treatments? A. A lot of the evidence based research is on hormonal therapy..
.but some other things that can be done..
.exercise can be beneficial and help reduce hot flashes, acupuncture can help you feel better but it’s not going to reduce hot flashes, and then cognitive behavioral therapy has actually been proven to be beneficial in managing menopausal symptoms. Q.
Hormonal treatment, what does that look like A. It’s individualized therapy- so going to you provider and talking to them about what your most distressing symptoms are, then deciding if hormones are right for you. It’s a range of things that you can try and not everybody is a candidate for hormonal therapy.
Q. What are next steps? A. Of course, talking to your provider about your symptoms is the best place to start.
I also recommend The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter. It’s a great resource and it has provided a lot of ways to talk to my patients in the language that people understand.
The Menopause Society also has patient education and resources to hel.
