As we age, we cannot avoid diseases associated with various degenerations, especially when entering menopause. Hormones in both men and women often become imbalanced (Hormone imbalance), causing menopausal symptoms to become increasingly apparent as we grow older. Medically, menopause is defined as follows:
In women: The stage of permanent cessation of ovarian function or permanent menopause, usually determined by counting the time since menstruation has stopped continuously for 1 year. The average age for Thai women entering menopause is 48 years.
In men: Men are often described as entering menopause at an average age of about 60 years. At age 60, male hormones decrease by an average of 30-50%.
Returning to the topic of menopause, some may wonder if they have menopausal symptoms or what symptoms menopause should have. The doctor provides the following observations:
1. In women: – Menstruation absent > 1 year
- Hot flashes, some experience night sweats while sleeping
- Thin skin, easy bruising, or frequent itching; skin becomes wrinkled and saggy
- Unexplained muscle or bone pain
- Moodiness, irritability, anxiety without cause
- Poor memory, forgetfulness
- Depression
- Decreased sexual desire
- Vaginal dryness, lack of moisture
- Difficulty sleeping or restless sleep, waking up frequently
2. In men – Abdominal obesity, increased body fat percentage
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- Muscle atrophy, wasting
- Reduced self-confidence, less sharp decision-making
- Depressed mood
- Memory decline
- Irritability, anxiety without appropriate cause
- Sleep problems
- Erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, or inability to maintain normal erection
Now that readers are somewhat familiar with menopausal symptoms, let’s look at self-care or how to take care of oneself. The doctor has five principles (5 A’s) for both men and women as follows:
- Food: Choose foods with complete nutritional value, emphasizing vegetables of all colors, fruits high in fiber, foods high in unsaturated fats such as fish, high-protein foods, and complex carbohydrates like brown rice, rye berry, whole wheat, and grains.
- Emotion: “Mind is the master, body is the servant” is always applicable if practiced. Look at the world positively, find activities that bring happiness and fun. Frequent smiling is medically proven to increase lifespan and normalize body functions.
- Exercise: Exercise helps burn fat and build muscle. In men, more muscle is another source of testosterone production, keeping men strong during menopause. In women, reducing excess fat is important because too many fat cells produce abnormal amounts of estrogen, increasing cancer risk.
- Reproductive health: Especially for women, cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings should be done once a year. Men should maintain genital hygiene and observe any abnormal symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction or abnormal sexual desire, and consult a specialist if needed.
- Environmental hygiene: Cleanliness of bedding, clothing, and living environment is the foundation of good hygiene. Since menopausal individuals tend to have lower immunity, preventing infections is crucial.
Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
In the field of anti-aging and regenerative medicine, treatment includes hormone replacement therapy (Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy), using hormones structurally identical to those naturally produced by the body. This new type of hormone, developed in the United States and FPA-approved, is used by the Anti-Aging Medicine Department at Phyathai 3 Hospital for individualized care of both male and female menopausal patients. Before treatment, both men and women must undergo evaluation by anti-aging medicine specialists, including:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Internal examination
- Laboratory blood tests for menopause diagnosis
- Other special tests
- Hormone replacement therapy for menopause usually yields good results if the patient undergoes thorough evaluation by anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialists. Both male and female menopausal patients receiving treatment must have follow-up examinations at least once a year and be fully informed about the benefits, contraindications, risks, and possible side effects before starting treatment.
Finally, the doctor would like to remind all readers who may be entering menopause or have relatives affected by menopausal symptoms that modern, safer, and more effective treatment approaches have been developed.
Prevention is the best care, and menopause no longer needs to be a difficult phase of life.
