During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Menopause. These may include a physical examination or other medical tests. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
Why: The menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods for longer than 12 months. In most western women it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average age of 51.
Why: The menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods for longer than 12 months thus it is really only a diagnosis that can be made in retrospect. The time leading up to the last period is called the climacteric or the perimenopause. Most women notice cycle irregularity before the periods stop. Often the first menstrual change is a shortening in the menstrual cycle from 28 to 21 days. Missing months is usually a sign that the last period is not too far away.
Why: Osteoporosis is found mainly in post-menopausal middles aged and elderly women. Risk factors include female sex, thin build, family history, early menopause, smoking, chronic alcoholism, high caffeine intake, low calcium intake, intestinal malabsorption, physical inactivity, prolonged corticosteroid use, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Acromegaly, chronic renal failure.
Why: e.g. diabetes and hemochromatosis may increase the risk of early menopause.
Why: e.g. removal of both ovaries is called bilateral oophorectomy and causes a surgical menopause.
Why: may cause premature menopause.
Why: to determine if experiencing any problems with sexual intercourse due to oestrogen deficiency such as dry vagina, painful intercourse, low libido. It should be advised that it is normal and appropriate to continue sexual relations, using a vaginal lubricant for a dry vagina.
Why: Contraception is advisable to prevent possible pregnancy until 12 months after the last period.
Why: It is particularly important around and after the menopause to have a healthy diet e.g. high calcium intake, low cholesterol diet, avoid obesity.
Why: Adequate exercise during the menopause will assist in maintaining bone mass, assist in weight control and maintain cardiovascular fitness.
Why: alcohol tolerance around the menopause may reduce. Excess alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. Excess alcohol may increase heart palpitations experienced due to the menopause.
Why: smoking increases the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and deep venous thrombosis . Smoking may increase the risk of early menopause.
Why: some women with mild palpitations, hot flushes and night sweats can often alleviate their symptoms by reducing caffeine intake.
Why: e.g. early menopause, osteoporosis, cancer, cardiovascular disease.
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. These may include:
Why: e.g. hot flushes, night sweats, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, migraine.
Why: e.g. irritability, depression, anxiety, tension, tearfulness, loss of concentration, poor short term memory, unloved feelings, sleep disturbances, mood changes and loss of self-confidence.
Why: e.g. dry vagina, painful intercourse, reduced libido, stinging of the urine, incontinence of urine, vaginal prolapse.
Why: e.g. joint and muscular aches and pains.
Why: e.g. dry skin, crawling sensation over skin, new facial hair, shrinkage of the breasts.
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