Coping with menopause

DIPIKA SHETTY has been Visiting her gynecologist   for three years now. Looking at the                                                                                                                                                                                  prescription of Hormone Replacement  Therapy  (HRT) supplement, the 38-years-old recall the day she came in with infertility problems.

Despite being on medication for three years, ovulation  didn’t  happen. However, it was sheer Luck that signs of Menopause showed in her Medical reports. It was, in fact, Menopause that was Causing her infertility. The  prescribed HRT and Estrogen is to maintain the hormonal balance.

“This will protect  Her from the ill- effects of  menopause.”

Menopause does occur at an  earlier age, if the mother  or the elder sister  got it early; also after a surgery if the uterus is re-moved what the ovaries are not removed; or, if one’s suffering from auto-immune disease and be- for longs to the premature Ovarian Group. In India, one also finds the incidence of genital TB in women, which generally goes undiagnosed until they come in complaining that menstruation has stopped and she not able to conceive. “if a woman comes with clear symptoms of menopause- hot flushes, sweating, anxiety, vaginal dryness- there’s nothing better than HRT. But if we know at that a woman is likely to get an early  menopause, she can be treated with phytoestrogens, something that effectively balances estrogen levels. Some studies says, “that a woman  lives   one-third   of her life post menopause. If the menopause  is at 50 , she may live for 25-30 years afterwards. So what is natural and closer to nature is the better solution. That means lifestyle modification, exercise, diets and some supplements, even something as simple as calcium or phytoestrogens.

However, a US study found that HRT drugs, a combination of estrogen and progestin, caused increased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. Ever since the study became known, more and more doctors, wherever possible, are monitoring patients by encouraging them to go in for phytoestrogens either in natural form or as tablets. “phytoestrogens are found in plant products and provide a natural form of estrogen levels of a woman approaching menopause. “Phytoestrogens act as estrogen where they should and where it should not act as an estrogen for instance, in the breast or the uterus it don’t thus preventing the danger of cancer.” According to some studies rich source of phytoestrogen are soyabean, even in the form of flour or soya milk, cereals, vegetable. But phytoestrogens are available as capsule also. “They are protective at any age against menopause. Many women in the age of 30-40 coming with infertility because of premature ovarian failure.” A woman who has just got married suddenly finds her period have disappeared. I have a lot of such women coming to me for infertility treatment. Such women are put HRT and ones their cycles appear they are offered a donor egg and it is fertilized with her husband sperm before it is placed inside her womb.” Any woman above 35 years of age should start taking care. One of the many fallouts of menopause is osteoporosis, something that affects 40-60 percent of women. “This can be prevented by exercise and proper diet.