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Hot flashes, insomnia, and night sweats can make a woman’s menopausal years miserable. But learning how to find relief can make them easier to bear.

Hot flashes, insomnia, and night sweats can make a woman’s menopausal years miserable. But learning how to find relief can make them easier to bear. According to OBGYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim, menopause usually takes place between the ages of 45 and 55 at the time when a woman’s body stops producing estrogen and progesterone, thereby ending menstruation.

While this transition is a natural occurrence, “the change” can cause a number of symptoms, including:

  • Difficulty sleeping;
  • Night sweats
;
  • Hot flashes
;
  • Mood variations;
  • Urine leakage;
  • Diminished interest in sex;
  • Vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse
.

While menopausal symptoms don’t affect some women, if your symptoms are very uncomfortable or disrupt your daily life, you should speak with your OBGYN Montgomery County about treatment.
 
Dr. Ibrahim may prescribe lifestyle changes, prescription medication, dietary supplements, or a combination of all three.

Fortunately, women can make a variety of lifestyle changes to help cope with menopausal symptoms, including:

  • Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods;
  • Exercising regularly;
  • Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of calcium and soy foods;
  • Practicing relaxation exercises such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation;
  • Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles
;
  • Dressing lightly and in layers to deal with hot flashes.

Your OBGYN Montgomery County finds that hormones can help some women to deal with severe hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. However, hormone therapy can pose serious risks because it can increase the odds for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Before you decide to use hormones, make sure you and your OBGYN weigh the risks and benefits of this treatment carefully.

Because of the potential dangers associated with taking hormones, many women opt for complementary or alternative remedies for relief of their menopausal symptoms.

The bottom line is that women and their OBGYNs should carefully consider potential side effects of all treatments – both medical and alternative – when identifying an approach to managing their menopausal symptoms.

If you are having trouble trying to cope with symptoms of menopause, you don’t have to live in misery. Call the office of OBGYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim today to schedule a confidential consultation and let’s get you feeling better!