Women’s Menopausal Symptoms

[Menopause Clinic] About Women’s Menopausal Symptoms Menopause typically refers to the period between the ages of 45 and 55. During this time, the secretion of female hormones (estrogen) decreases sharply, disrupting the balance of both body and mind, which leads to menopausal symptoms. It is also called “Estrogen Deficiency Syndrome.” Although there are individual differences, about two out of three women experience some symptoms. These symptoms rarely appear alone and are often manifested simultaneously. Menopausal symptoms can be mainly classified into changes in the body, mind, appearance, and senses.

Changes in the Body:

• Pain (headaches, shoulder stiffness, back pain, tinnitus, etc.)
• Numbness (numbness in fingers or toes, dizziness, etc.)
• Frequent urination (urgency, incontinence, painful urination, etc.)
• Hot flashes (flushing, overheating, breathlessness, palpitations, night sweats, etc.)

Changes in the Mind:

• Irritability (becoming short-tempered, hysterical, etc.)
• Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, inability to sleep deeply, waking up too early, etc.)
• Depressive symptoms (feelings of anxiety, lethargy, gloom, sadness, etc.)

Changes in Appearance:

• Skin dryness (wrinkles, spots, sagging, enlarged pores, etc.)
• Thinning hair (hair becoming thinner, facial hair becoming thicker, etc.)
• Bone deformities (knots on joints of fingers, joint sounds, deformation of fingertips, etc.)

Changes in Senses:

• Easily tired (fatigue that won’t go away, constant sleepiness, etc.)
• Body odor (odors in delicate areas, bad breath, aging smell, etc.)
• Abnormal taste (changes in taste and touch, difficulty hearing, etc.)

These symptoms are complex and diverse, requiring appropriate care and treatments for each. Menopausal disorders are also known to impact immune function.

Menopause and Women’s Health:

• Menopause marks the period for women between the ages of 45 to 55 during which estrogen levels decrease rapidly.
• This hormonal imbalance causes various physical and mental disturbances.
• During this time, immune strength also diminishes alongside physical changes.

Risk of Osteoporosis:

• With menopause and the decrease in estrogen secretion, bone density decreases.
• Bone density decreases slowly over many years.
• Some individuals are born with stronger or weaker bones, causing differences to widen with age.
• It is important to establish a baseline with a bone density test starting at age 50.

Decline in Immunity:

• The immune system completes its development by age 15, and declines gradually after the age of 20.
• By the 40s, immunity drops to 50% of its peak, and by the 70s, it drops into the 10% range.
• In menopause, factors such as age-related decline, menopausal disorders, stress, nervous system disruptions, and lack of sleep contribute to weakened immunity.

Risk of Infection:

• Menopausal women experience reduced immunity, making them more susceptible to infections.
• Attention should be paid to the increased risk of infections due to immune decline during menopause.

(Diagnosis) Menopausal symptoms are diagnosed through medical interviews and blood tests measuring female hormone levels. In addition, screenings for anemia, thyroid function, collagen disease, and uterine fibroids are conducted. If any of these conditions are identified, they are prioritized for treatment, and consultations with specialized departments are made.

(Treatment) Treatments are provided within the scope of insurance coverage:

• Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine)
• Equol (contains soybean-derived plant estrogens, isoflavones)
• Hormone replacement therapy (supplementation with estrogen preparations)
• Antidepressants
• Placenta extract (helps alleviate hot flashes, irritability, and appearance-related concerns) Equol is available for purchase at pharmacies.