To prevent climacterium praecox (premature menopause), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Vegetarian diet Pleasure food consumption Tobacco (smoking) – early menopause (before age 45; approximately 5-10% of women) is dose-dependent in smokers with respect to nicotine abuse Prevention factors (protective factors) Biographical risk factors Pregnancies: Women with … Menopause: Prevention
Climacteric complaints (menopausal symptoms) are experienced to varying degrees by patients. At the forefront of the complaints are disturbances in well-being, changes in the menstrual cycle, changes in organs and, in particular, cardiovascular complaints – for example, paroxysmal tachycardia (episodes of palpitations), palpitations (heart palpitations) – as well as a decrease in bone density. The … Menopause: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Synthesis (production) of sex hormones progressively decreases with the onset of climacteric. First, the ovarian (ovary-associated) synthesis of progesterone decreases, followed by that of estrogens (17-β-estradiol) and finally androgens. After menopause, estrogens are no longer produced by the ovaries, but exclusively by adipose tissue. Therefore, estrogen formation in overweight women in … Menopause: Causes
General measures Alternating showers help with hot flashes. Essential oils can help inhibit sweat production. Suitable are, for example, the medicinal plants sage or even mint, whose menthol has a cooling effect. Proven remedies from nature for climacteric complaints are hops, lady’s mantle, monk’s pepper and black cohosh. They contain phytoestrogens, which are plant substances … Menopause: Therapy
Diagnostic steps include a thorough history, a thorough gynecologic examination, and hormone determinations. A detailed and confirmed diagnosis is a prerequisite for individualized therapy (e.g., physical activity, phytotherapy, hormone therapy). The anamnesis leads the way to the initiation of possible intervention measures. In many cases, the complaint situation provides the essential guidelines for the start … Menopause: Medical History
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Diabetes mellitus – due to bleeding abnormalities. Ovarian dysfunction (malfunction of the ovaries). Thyroid dysfunction Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Angina pectoris (“chest tightness”; sudden onset of pain in the heart area). Myocardial infarction (heart attack) Cardiac arrhythmias Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) Osteoporosis (bone … Menopause: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by the climacteric (menopause in women): Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (“dry eyes“). Visual impairment Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Obesity (overweight) Diabetes mellitus Hyperlipoproteinemias (lipid metabolism disorders) Skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) Alopecia/hair loss (due to relative … Menopause: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height [obesity (overweight)]; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes [drying of the skin (xeroderma; xerosis cutis) with wrinkling?; regression of hair in the frontotemporal area (receding hairline) and in the genital area?, … Menopause: Examination
An essential component of laboratory diagnostics is hormone diagnostics. This is necessary for a possibly necessary or sensible, individually-dosed hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The most important laboratory parameters for hormone status are listed below: 1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) – used to diagnose peri- and postmenopause in women between … Menopause: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic target Improvement of climacteric symptoms and, if present, therapy of osteoporosis (bone loss). Therapy recommendations Therapeutic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is indicated for: Moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. Women with vasomotor symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, sweats) should be offered HRT [S3 guideline]. Urogenital or vaginal atrophy/vaginal dryness (see estriol below) [If this is the … Menopause: Drug Therapy
Mandatory medical device diagnostics. Vaginal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination using an ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina (sheath)). Electrical impedance analysis (measurement of body compartments/body composition) – to determine body fat, extracellular body mass (blood and tissue fluid), body cell mass (muscle and organ mass) and total body water including body mass index (BMI, body mass … Menopause: Diagnostic Tests
In the context of micronutrient medicine (vital substances), isoflavones are used as supportive therapy for menopausal symptoms (climacteric symptoms). Medicinal plants such as Turkish rhubarb or snakeweed contain isoflavones, among others. These plants are also used to treat hot flashes, sweating, irritability or sleep disorders. Isoflavones are also found in legumes, whole grain products and … Menopause: Micronutrient Therapy