Menopause: Your Questions Answered

Menopause: Your Questions Answered

Private menopause appointments can now be booked with Swansea GP Dr. Sandar Hlaing for professional advice on menopause, health, and wellbeing. The customized sessions are conducted every Friday and are perfect for those going through this critical stage of life.

As someone who has gone through menopause herself, Dr. Hlaing is dedicated to offering trained, sympathetic care to enable women to sail through the process. Here, she responds to the most common questions her patients have.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the natural end of menstrual periods. The term is split into ‘meno’ (period) and ‘pause’ (stop). In the UK, the average menopause age is between 45 and 55, although some women will get it earlier. If menopause starts before the age of 40, it’s called premature menopause.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

There are 34 recognised symptoms of the menopause, largely due to a decrease in the level of oestrogen. As oestrogen plays an important role in supporting many aspects of the body, its loss can influence:

• Brain – fogginess of the brain, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate
• Body temperature – hot flushes and sweats at night
• Heart – palpitations and fast heartbeat
• Joints and muscles – aching joints, stiffness, and tiredness

Numerous women also experience changes in emotions, including anxiety or mood swings.

What Is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)?

HRT assists in the replacement of hormones that the body no longer produces following menopause, such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. HRT is able to alleviate a broad array of symptoms and help with long-term health, particularly for women suffering from serious menopausal change.

Can HRT Bring On Palpitations or Blood Pressure?

Each treatment has potential side effects. Although HRT itself is not likely to induce high blood pressure, hormonal changes occur during menopause, placing women at higher risk. A healthy diet, lowered salt and sugar consumption, and exercise daily are suggested by Dr. Hlaing to control blood pressure. In case of need, HRT can be interrupted and then restarted later with medical supervision.

How Do You Know You’re Menopausal If You’re Still Having Periods?

During perimenopause, your periods can become unpredictable but not cease altogether. Other symptoms—such as fatigue, mental fogginess, sleeping problems, tearfulness, and hot flushes—can signal that the change is in progress.

How long does HRT Evorel Sequi Patch take to work?

Fatigue and energy levels – improvement is usually noticeable within the first month

• Sleep quality – improved within a few weeks
• Muscle and joint pain – 2 to 3 months
• Brain fog and sex drive – take longer to change
• Hot flushes – start to fade earlier but may continue for months

Can Early Menopause Be Induced by Something Else?

Yes. Early menopause can occur due to genetic factors, severe illnesses needing exhaustive treatments, or chronic stress and eating disorders. In some cases, early menopause is a temporary and reversible condition once the causative problem is corrected. 

How Long Can You Stay on HRT?

There’s no rigid cut-off for HRT. Its safety has been studied for the initial 7.5 years, but treatment may be prolonged or tapered according to your symptoms, lifestyle, and wishes. Dr. Hlaing advocates tapering off slowly instead of stopping suddenly to avoid hormone withdrawal symptoms.

View the Webinar: Menopause—Your Questions Answered

For additional professional guidance, see the entire Menopause Webinar presented by Dr. Sandar Hlaing. It discusses everything on menopause symptoms management and midlife well-being. Click Here

Appointments Menopause Consultation in Swansea

To arrange your consultation with Dr. Sandar Hlaing, fill in this booking form or telephone 03456 252 252, quoting:

”Dr Sandar Hlaing Menopause Consultation at HMT Sancta Maria Hospital Swansea.”