I find myself learning a lot about menopause and climacteric symptoms.

I'm not very old yet, but my menstrual flow has been decreasing, and my mother experienced menopausal symptoms not just once but several times. Recently, I've been increasingly worried about menopause and climacteric symptoms.

 

Menopause is the period when ovarian function ceases, and menstruation ends. It is diagnosed retrospectively if amenorrhea persists for 12 months after the last menstrual period. The average age of menopause is 50 years old and is usually genetically determined. Premature ovarian failure (early menopause) refers to menopause occurring before the age of 40.

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Menopause test (female hormone test) is necessary if there are menopausal symptoms and no menstruation for more than three months, requiring a visit to the gynecology department, and the need for a female hormone test is determined after an ultrasound examination.

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Physical changes during menopause include sweating, facial flushing, palpitations, sleep disturbances, discomfort during intercourse, and joint pain. Due to atrophic changes in the urogenital tract, symptoms such as vaginal dryness, vaginal pain, pruritus, foul-smelling discharge, dysuria, and frequent urination may occur. Psychological changes include severe mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness. The duration of symptoms averages four years, with the most severe symptoms occurring within 1-2 years, and they can last up to 10 years.

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If menopausal symptoms do not improve, a plant hormone medication (Climaderm) is prescribed and taken.

The ingredients of ClimatoPlan are horse riding, Ignacia, squid ink, and blood root. The efficacy/effects approved by the Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) are the improvement of symptoms such as facial flushing, sweating, hot flashes, anxiety, depression, and agitation caused by menopause.

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Climatoplant, a plant-based hormone agent, has been approved and used by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices since 1978, and was approved in Korea in 2008. It is prescribed for patients who first visit the hospital due to menopausal disorders, those who want to combine hormone replacement therapy for more effective and rapid results, patients who do not want hormone replacement therapy, and patients who cannot undergo hormone replacement therapy or have difficulty taking it long-term.

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Menopausal hormone therapy can be supported with placental extract.

The main products for placenta injections are Melsmon and Reinec. The efficacy of placenta injections recognized by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) is as follows.

- Zaha Gher Extract (Melsmon): Improvement of menopausal disorder symptoms

- Zaha Gersu Hydrolysate (Lainex): Improvement of liver function in chronic diseases

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If vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is detected in blood tests, vitamin D injections are administered every 3 months (for deficiency) or every 6 months (for insufficiency).

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In cases of severe urogenital symptoms (vaginal dryness, dyspareunia), use a daily cleanser (Krinosan) and lubricants during sexual activity. Low-dose estrogen is applied externally to the vulva and inside the vagina.

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If symptoms do not improve with all other methods, when prescribing synthetic hormones, regular cervical cancer, breast cancer, and blood tests are necessary.

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Methods to alleviate menopausal symptoms that can be done at home

Diet and exercise to maintain health in menopausal women

Taking a comprehensive vitamin supplement specifically for menopausal women.

They consume menopause health functional foods such as soy (isoflavones), horse chestnut, ginseng/red ginseng, angelica root, and EstroG-100 (white coix seed).

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As an alternative therapy for sleep disorders, it is recommended to take health functional foods containing melatonin and L-theanine. In severe cases, you should visit a hospital for consultation and receive a prescription.