National Women’s Day is celebrated annually on April 30 in Brazil, being an important occasion to promote gender equality and women’s rights in society. In this context, the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO) highlights the importance of care for women during the menopause period, highlighting the need for specific care and adequate medical support for this phase of women’s lives.
Dr. Lucia Helena, president of the FEBRASGO Climacteric Committee, emphasizes that lifelong care is essential, but at this time it must receive special attention. The doctor recommends a good diet, with the consumption of foods rich in calcium, which is very important at this stage of life to increase bone quality, control weight, avoid weight gain, and avoid smoking. Practicing physical activity is also essential for general health and reaping benefits for healthy aging in the future. “Always talking to the gynecologist is essential, as each woman may have specific needs depending on her health condition. But everything she can do to go through this moment in a healthier way and also be healthy enough to have a good aging phase is what we recommend,” she said.
According to the expert, there is no precise age or defined moment that is the same for all women when it comes to menopause. Starting at age 40, however, many women may begin to experience changes in their menstrual cycles. This can manifest as menstrual irregularity, with periods failing to arrive regularly every month. Additionally, some women may begin to experience symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and irritability, which are common during the transition to menopause. These symptoms can occur before completing a year without menstruation, which is considered the official milestone of menopause.
Is it possible to go through menopause without noticeable symptoms?
Dr. Lucia emphasizes that menopause marks the cessation of menstruation, occurring when a woman goes 12 months without menstruating. Although the average occurrence is at age 50, it is common for changes to begin to occur before this age. However, it is important to note that around 80% of women experience some type of symptom during this phase, and the intensity of these symptoms can vary significantly from one woman to another. “Not all women necessarily need to seek medical treatment or take medication, as the intensity of symptoms can be mild for some and more intense for others”, highlighted the doctor.
Symptoms
Regarding menopause symptoms, there is a wide variety. Among the physical symptoms, one of the most uncomfortable and frequently reported by women is the phenomenon of hot flashes. These hot flashes consist of a sudden feeling of heat that mainly affects the upper part of the body, such as the face and neck, accompanied by sweating and, sometimes, palpitations and tachycardia. The sensations can be quite uncomfortable and often motivate women to seek medical help. In addition to hot flashes, sleep changes such as insomnia and psychological changes such as irritability and mood swings are also common during menopause.
Hormonal Therapy
It is not necessary for every woman to take hormone replacement therapy, but those who experience menopausal symptoms and find that these symptoms are significantly affecting their quality of life are advised to consider hormone replacement therapy. “This therapy can help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. It is important to highlight that not all women experience symptoms, as mentioned previously”, highlighted the specialist.
Should every woman take hormone replacement therapy?
Taking hormone replacement therapy is recommended for women who go through a condition known as early menopause, where menopause occurs before the age of 40. Even if these women do not present symptoms, as in the case of a patient who had her uterus and ovaries removed by surgery at age 35, it is important to consider hormone replacement until around age 50, when menopause would naturally occur. This is because the absence of these hormones can lead to a series of negative consequences in the long term. For these women with early menopause, hormone replacement is recommended, even in the absence of symptoms.
In other situations, hormone replacement therapy is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, and we also know that it has additional benefits, such as preventing osteoporosis and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. “Although these benefits are not necessarily noticed immediately, they are important in the long term for women’s health”, concludes Dr. Lucia.