El climacteric It is a transitional period in a woman's life where she loses her reproductive capacity and undergoes important changes in the secretion of sex hormones (especially estrogen), which can cause physical, social, psychological and sexual changes. And the menopause It is the moment characterized by the cessation of menstruation, which is established physiologically between the ages of 45 and 55.
Although menopause is not a disease, it causes symptoms in most women, some of which can alter the quality of life. These can be transient or permanent and some of them are: hot flashes and sleep disturbances, changes in mood, loss of bone mass (osteoporosis) and an associated increased risk of fractures, changes in sexual life such as decreased sexual desire and vulvovaginal dryness or increased cardiovascular disease.
To live an active, positive and healthy menopause, experts recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following a balanced Mediterranean diet. It is necessary to limit the consumption of alcohol and fats, avoid free sugars (such as white or brown sugar, panela, honey or jam) and it is very important that the diet contains a good supply of calcium and vitamin D (to prevent the loss of bone mass) as well as proteins (adequate consumption helps us stop the loss of muscle mass, satiates us and provides us with vitamin B12 and iron). On the other hand, it is also recommended to practice moderate physical exercise that includes strength work, about 15 minutes of sun exposure a day and eliminate toxins such as tobacco.
Treatments
However, physical exercise and diet do not always manage to control the symptoms associated with menopause and, in these cases, there are different treatments (hormonal and non-hormonal) that can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
One of these treatments is the so-called menopausal hormone therapy (HMT) which consists of supplying the hormones that have stopped being produced during menopause (estrogen and progesterone). It is indicated in women who have moderate or severe symptoms and with a significant impact on quality of life. Most women are candidates for this therapy.
On the other hand, for women who have mild symptoms or who are not candidates for the use of THM or who do not wish to be treated with this type of therapy, there are alternative non-hormonal (natural) treatments that have also proven effective.
Menopause is a physiological and natural situation that is part of a woman's reproductive cycle. Although it is a stage that is not very visible and is even surrounded by taboos, it is necessary to give it the space and social recognition it deserves, promoting its normalization and knowledge of the changes it implies. Women should know that if they have symptoms they can ask for help from their gynecologist, who will guide and accompany them to decide, together, the most appropriate therapeutic option.
