This hub is a continuation from http://hubpages.com/hub/Fibroid---Can-it-cause-Menopause-and-how-can-I-manage-it

Menopause can sometimes cause insomnia. This is due to you having feeling of depression or anxiousness or frequent interruption by night sweats. It is common for you to wake up early in the morning around 2am or 3am and then toss and turn for the rest of the night.

What you need to do is:

• please seek your doctor's help immediately if you are anxious or depressed as these symptoms require specific treatment
• if possible keep yourself busy and active throughout the day. An active lifestyle can help you to bring the night sweats under control so that you can sleep undisturbed
• for some people, making a warm drink before going to bed helps. Give it a try

Depressions and Mood Swings

It has shown that menopause can bring about several negative feelings simultaneously resulting in irritability mood swings, tearfulness and depression.

I have noticed that sometimes, out of the blue, my friend would suddenly turn moody and irritable. If I had not done my research, I would definitely be able to understand her situation. When this happens, she becomes incorrigible......but alas, I guess it is not her fault. It happens without her being able to have any control. So, please be a little understanding.....

It is often difficult to actually pinpoint what is exactly the reason behind the emotional changes during menopause. The symptoms relating to depression during menopause are characterised by feelings of worthlessness and self-reproach, the lack of concentration, fellings of doom, fatigue, unusual sleeping patterns, extreme eating patterns and suicidal thoughts.

It is highly recommended that if you are having the above mentioned symptoms, please :

• If the negative depression feelings prolonged for at least two weeks, please visit your doctor immediately. Most likely your doctor will recommend HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), which is a treatment for emotional symptoms
• do not keep it to yourself. Share it with someone close or someone who can be supportive
• join a self-help group or start one yourself
• exercise is a good way to keep fit. It is also a good way for the hormone, endorphin, to be released into your bloodstream and hence lift your moods
• try practicing relaxation techniques, eg yoga, meditation, go to the spa etc. It will help to promote tranquility and fight tension

Do you know that during menopause your estrogen level decreases?

This will cause the skin and other tissues to become 'thin' and lose their elasticity and suppleness. Your skin will appear more wrinkled and your hair will become thinner and less manageable. Thinning of the urinary tract often leads to loss of bladder control and thinning of your vaginal wall. This dryness will result in painful intercourse.

It is highly recommended that you:

• moisture your skin as you age and protect it from the ultra-violet rays of the sun
• apply sunblock lotion on your skin if you are going outdoors
• keep a simple haircut that is easy to manage
• use waterbased jelly to easy the pain during intercourse
• do pelvic exercises to strengthen bladder control
• do pelvic exercises to give a more acute vagital sensation

Other symptoms relating to menopause, due to estrogen loss, are:

• headaches
• muscle aches
• slight memory loss
• hair grwoth
• a reduction in breast size
• a change in body shape

Will there be any major health risks?

Although the symptoms of menopause are not a life-threatening affair, the long term effect of estrogen deficiency can be. Estrogen helps keeps the bones healthy and strong. It also helps protects against heart attack and stroke.

What is HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy?

It is common knowledge that the medical treatment for menopause, as well as to protect against osteoporosis and heart is HRT. HRT treats menopause as a hormone deficiency condition and alleviates the symptom by replacing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

During the normal menstrual cycle, HRT 'mimics' the average levels produced for oestrogen and progesterone.

There is a diverse range of HRT products and the various ways you can administer it. With the help of your doctor, a suitable HRT regimen will be recommended to match your needs.

What are the benefits of HRT?

• relief of menopausal symptoms
• prevention of heart diseas and stroke
• maintenance of bones, muscles and tissue
• improvement of body shape and increases of well-being

"Less than a quarter of all women go through menopause have symptoms that are upsetting enough to need medical help....." The Family Guide Healthcare, 1997

Like any other types of medication, it is important to fully understand the side effects, if any.

Here is a list of possible side effects known to HRT

• possible uterine cancer but can be protected by progesterone
• increased risk of breast cancer
• gallstones
• weight gain
• greasy skin
• irritability
• breast tenderness
• headaches

Not every women who goes through menopause can take HRT. Therefore it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before considering HRT. HRT is not a safe option to some of you if you have the following conditions:

• a history of breast cancer
• recent uterine or ovarian cancer
• an active blood-clotting disorder
• undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• gallbladder disease
• liver disease
• hepatitis

HRT comes in various form.

• the most commonly is the Tablets or ORAL HRT.
• HRT implants
• Transdermal HRT or patches
• Pessaries - it usually contains oestrogen and are delivered directly into the vagina
• creams and gels

Menopause is not a disease......talk to it with people you love or with those close to you. Focus on your future. It is usually a crossroad in a women's life. Stop and take stock......decide on how you want to spend the rest of your life. It is usually a time that offers you freedom to change. With the kids all grown up and 'departuring', it is time for you to inject some fun and challenge into your future plans. Increase outdoors interests, maximise your resources and fullfill your lifelong dreams.

Menopause is a beginning of a women's life............and not the end.

The information in the 2 hubs on menopause is based on my personal research, observation and insights into the matter. Do not take it as a medical advise.

It is advisable to check with your doctors if you are going through menopause or are showing signs or symptoms of possible menopause.

If you miss the first part, you can read it at http://hubpages.com/hub/Fibroid---Can-it-cause-Menopause-and-how-can-I-manage-it