Menopause health management

The core of menopausal health management has never been a unified "just get over it", nor is there a standard answer that is effective for everyone. It is a set of personalized plans that combine individual symptoms, physical foundation, and personal wishes, covering physiological intervention, life adjustment, and psychological support. The essence is to help you get through this stage of life comfortably, rather than forcefully.

When many people reach the age of 45 to 55, they will suddenly encounter this terrible scene: Sitting in the office, a wave of heat rushes from the chest to the head and face, and the back is instantly soaked with sweat, and you are so embarrassed that you can only pretend to go to the toilet to wipe it.； Or I used to just fall asleep with the pillow on my face, but now I toss and turn with my eyes open in the middle of the night. The next day, my head feels as heavy as stuffed with cotton. I don’t even have the patience to say a word to my wife. I get angry easily and then regret it after I do it. Sister Zhang, who I met at the outpatient clinic last week, was like this. She was 48 years old. She suffered from hot flashes more than a dozen times a day. She had been suffering from insomnia for half a year. Her blood pressure fluctuated. She went to the cardiology department for a checkup and found nothing wrong. Only then did she realize that it was a menopausal problem. In the past, she always thought that "everyone has gotten through it this way, so there is no need to worry about it." As a result, she struggled to even go to work.

There are actually a lot of controversies about menopausal intervention now. Different medical systems and different practitioners give very different plans. There is no need to take sides and say which one is the only correct one. For example, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is recommended by the mainstream in the field of gynecological endocrinology in Western medicine. The current evidence-based medical evidence is clear: for women who are within 10 years of menopause, under 60 years old, and have no breast lesions, endometrial lesions, or high risk factors for blood clots, the benefits of hormone supplementation at the lowest dose far outweigh the risks. It can not only quickly relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia, but also prevent long-term osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems. But there are indeed many people who have concerns about hormones, and they have contraindications and are not suitable for use. At this time, TCM syndrome differentiation and conditioning is a very good choice. For people with kidney yin deficiency (hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth and tongue, upset and irritability), Zhibai Dihuang Pills can be used together with acupuncture at Taixi and Sanyinjiao acupuncture points. Many people can significantly relieve their symptoms after one or two months of conditioning. ； If you suffer from kidney yang deficiency (aversion to cold, long urination, soreness and coldness in the waist and knees), you can use Yougui Pills with moxibustion on Guanyuan and Mingmen. The effect is also very good. I have also met several aunties who have been practicing Baduanjin for half a year. The number of hot flashes has been reduced by more than half, and even the mood has stabilized a lot.

There are also many people who prefer natural therapies without drugs, such as taking plant extracts such as soy isoflavones and black cohosh. To be objective here, the effect of these substances is much weaker than hormones. It may be effective for people with mild symptoms, but the effects are often limited for people with severe symptoms. Moreover, it is not "all natural and absolutely safe." For people with breast hyperplasia and uterine fibroids, large doses of phytoestrogens may stimulate the growth of nodules, so it is best to consult a doctor before taking them.

To be honest, I have been practicing gynecological endocrinology for so many years, and the most common thing I say to patients is "Don't compare yourself to others, and don't impose any rigid health standards." There was an aunt who saw others saying that square dancing for an hour a day was good for her health. She danced for half a month, but the hot flashes got worse. Later, she changed to walking slowly for 20 minutes in the evening, and added gentle yoga stretching twice a week. Within two weeks, she said she felt much better. ； There is also an aunt who always loved to drink iced coffee. After quitting it, the number of night sweats was reduced by half. She said that if she had known it was so useful, she would not have to drink it for so long. There are also emotional issues that many people ignore. Many people think that losing temper during menopause means "personality changes" and "overthinking." But in fact, clinical data shows that the incidence of anxiety and depression in menopausal women is 2-3 times that of childbearing age. If you always feel unmotivated and want to cry at every turn, don't bear it. You can either enroll in a college for the elderly and learn calligraphy and photography to distract your attention, or find a psychologist for a few cognitive behavioral counseling sessions. There is really no shame.

Regarding the question that everyone is most worried about, "Will taking medicine cause cancer?", don't go too extreme. Don't talk about hormone discoloration, and don't buy medicine for yourself. I met an aunt who met the requirements and took MHT for 5 years. Her annual physical examination was fine. She was several years younger than her peers. ； I have also seen myself secretly buying "menopausal maintenance pills" from Internet celebrities. After taking them for three months, the endometrium thickened to 12mm, almost causing problems. No matter which intervention method you choose, it is always right to have a comprehensive physical examination first and let the doctor evaluate your physical foundation before making a decision.

Two days ago, a 52-year-old aunt came for a review and said that she no longer had hot flashes when she and her sisters climbed Mount Huang. She used to stuff three pieces of tops in her bag when going out, but now one is enough. Looking at her happily holding up the scenery photo she had just taken, I actually felt that menopause is not a "hump" that cannot be overcome. You don't have to force yourself to endure it, and you don't have to follow other people's methods. Find the right rhythm that suits you, and you can still live comfortably.