2017 HCHB_digital

Menopause
Menopause – the “change of life” – is an unavoidable part of aging that every
woman who lives till middle age will experience. It literally means last period,
and signals the end of menstruation although the term is commonly used to
describe the years leading up to the menopause as well. This transition phase is
more correctly called the perimenopause and describes the period of time during
which the ovaries release fewer eggs and produce fewer hormones causing a
change in menstrual patterns.
Menopause is generally considered complete in a woman with an intact uterus
if she has not had a period for at least a year. Although high levels of follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) provide additional
evidence that menopause is impending, the diagnosis is not confirmed until a
year has passed.
Signs of natural perimenopause usually start to occur between the ages of 45
and 55 with an average age of onset of 52. In more than 50% of women, the
timing of their menopause is similar to that of the age at which their mother or
sister underwent the transition.
Early onset or premature menopause is the term used to describe menopause
occurring in a woman before the age of 40 and is more likely to occur in women
who:
• are overweight
• come from certain countries with noticeably earlier ages of menopause (eg,
Latin America)
• have a family history of early menopause
• have certain medical conditions or illnesses
• have had none or only one child
• smoke.
Artificial menopause is that caused by surgical removal of both ovaries or
the destruction of the ovaries by some cancer treatments. Hormone levels drop
suddenly resulting in an abrupt onset of menopausal symptoms which are often
more severe than those experienced with natural or premature menopause.
Symptoms
A change in menstrual patterns is usually the first symptom of perimenopause.
Periods become lighter or heavier, longer or shorter, with an increased length of
time between cycles. Hot flushes (also called hot flashes in some countries) are
experienced by more than 60% of women. A hot flush is a momentary sensation
of heat that may be accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. Night
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Category Examples Comments
Magnetic devices
Vaginal dryness
Supplements
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Ladycare
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Vagisil Intimate Moisturiser, Sylk
[SUPPLEMENT]
eg, Harmony Menopause*, Amberen Menopause
Relief, Clinicians Menopause Balance, Nutralife
Meno-life, Promensil, Remifemin
eg, EPA, flaxseed, pycnogenol, soy, St John’s wort
Ladycare Menopause is a drug-free magnetic device designed to reduce the symptoms of
menopause. Attaches discreetly and comfortably to the underwear.
Relieves uncomfortable vaginal dryness and can be used during sexual intercourse. Waterbased
and safe to use with condoms.
Contain various ingredients including angelica polymorpha (Dong Quai), cimicifuga racemosa
(black cohosh), peony, shatavari, trifolium pretense (red clover extract), vitex agnus-castus
(Chaste tree) to help relieve symptoms of menopause such as night sweats and hot flushes.
There is some evidence for the effectiveness of other supplements (ie, EPA, flaxseed, soy, St
John’s wort) for relieving menopausal symptoms.
Products with an asterisk have a detailed listing in the Menopause section of OTC Products, starting on page 250.
Page 104 HEALTHCARE HANDBOOK 2017-2018 Common Disorders