A menopause is a biological process that is part of the aging process of women. it is characterized by the physiological interruption of the menstrual cycles due to the end of hormonal secretion by the ovaries. the diagnosis of menopause is confirmed when a woman goes 12 consecutive months without menstruation. one of the main symptoms of menopause is fogacho. understand better why it happens and what to doto reduce it.

Read more: Is it possible to get pregnant after menopause?

Hot Flare: Understand the Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms in this period are heat waves, known as "fogachos": "They are characterized by the sudden onset of intense heat, starting in the chest and progressing to the neck and face, which is often accompanied by anxiety, palpitations, and sweating," explains Dr. Bruna Merlo, Gynecologist at HAS Clínica.

It is estimated that about 80 percent of women going through menopause suffer from this symptom. In some women these heat waves are much more intense, so they can often even be mistaken for fever.

During this period, it is normal to have trouble sleeping or to wake up sweaty during the night, during the famous night hot flashes. The big difference is that this heat wave stops suddenly, giving a sensation of cold soon afterwards. The good news is that hot flashes They are just natural reactions of the human body and are part of the life of any woman in this phase.

How to alleviate fogacho?

Some treatments for menopause help ease the hot flashes, such as hormone replacement therapies, which help control estrogen levels and make this body transition less turbulent. There are also natural treatments, which can generate great results. However, it is necessary to be aware that, just like each body reacts differently to menopause,Each one will also have different reactions to the treatments.

It is worth remembering that fogacho has a determined time to act and that it doesn't last long. Therefore, it is important to check the size of the discomfort: if it is small, just wait for it to pass. The most effective treatment is estrogen replacement. However, this treatment can have some adverse and unpleasant effects and, therefore, it must be done with medical follow-up.

In addition, some non-drug therapies also help to alleviate hot flashes, such as maintaining weight and not smoke A natural alternative is the consumption of the blackberry fruit, because both the fruit and its leaves contain isoflavones, a phytohormone similar to those produced by the ovaries.

Symptoms of menopause

In addition to hot flushes, changes in sleep patterns are also some of the complaints of women entering menopause, especially insomnia. Other symptoms include:

• Weight gain;
• Vulvovaginal dryness;
• Mood swings (nervousness, irritation, deep sadness and even depression);
• Reduced libido (sexual desire).

"With the end of menstruation, there is a decrease in the production of female sex hormones, which can result in a number of changes in a woman's body, felt in the short, medium and long term. Most women may experience some of the symptoms described above during this period, however, approximately 20 % of women are asymptomatic," says Dr. Merlo.

Therefore, menopause is an event within the climacteric period, and represents the last menstruation in a woman's life," adds the gynecologist at HAS Clínica.

As part of the therapeutic efforts to minimize symptoms, including hot flushes, as well as other menopausal discomforts, hormone therapy should be part of an overall treatment strategy, which also includes recommendations for lifestyle modification (diet, and exercise) and should be individualized and tailored to the symptoms, as well as historyHormone replacement therapy can be given during perimenopause, i.e., the period before menopause, and postmenopause.

Routine examinations after menopause

As for the routine exams for women during this period, it is worth remembering that the recommendation of the Ministry of Health is that mammography With regard to the routine exam, it should be done between the ages of 50 and 69. Pap smear For women who have been sexually active, collection should begin at age 25 and continue until age 64, and be discontinued when, after that age, women have had at least two consecutive negative tests in the last five years.

Dr. Bruna completes this recommendation by explaining that the age patients usually enter the menopause period is between 45 and 55 years old, on average: "Thus, the decision about the mammography and Papanicolau exams must be individualized, and discussed with the gynecologist".

What about your sex life?

A very common doubt among women is about sex life during this period. After all, it is possible to be sexually active after menopause. However, the drop in libido is a common complaint in the climacteric period, because, with the alteration in hormone levels, it is common to have a decrease in sexual desire.

"The recommendation is to seek personalized attention for each case and correctly identify the causes of low libido. For the relief of genital atrophy symptoms (vaginal dryness), for example, there are treatments such as vaginal laser and hormonal creams. Pelvic physiotherapy is another ally when the subject is sexuality, and strengthening the pelvic floor," concludes the HAS Clínica doctor.

Source: Dr. Bruna Merlo, Gynecologist at HAS Clínica .