Post-menopause: What it’s like and how to cope with it.

Some days, does it feel like you’ve been through a wringer-washer? You might be experiencing post-menopause. If you’re old enough to know what a wringer-washer is, then you’re old enough to read this article. If not, let me explain.

In the old days, a wringer-washer was a washing machine that had two rollers, one on top of the other. After the clothes were washed, they were fed between these two spinning rollers, which would wring the water out of them, before clothes were hung up on the clothesline to dry.

Menopause is a time when your insides are churned up, much like the clothes in the washing machine. As you pass through menopause, you may feel like your energy has been squeezed out of you, like you’ve been through a battle with an invisible foe. Post-menopause may at first seem like a saviour—your symptoms may be reduced or even may have disappeared completely.

When is post-menopause?
Post-menopause takes place when you haven’t had a period for at least a year. It’s not uncommon for women in their middle years to miss a period here and there, but you can be sure that if you’ve had no periods and you’re not pregnant, then you’re in post-menopause and you’ll be in it for the rest of your life, so it’s important that you learn about it, and learn about what to expect.

What kinds of changes are normal?
The estrogen reduction that began during menopause may continue. Whether or not you have passed through menopause, the healthy changes you made to diet and lifestyle should be continued to promote optimal health.

Although emotionally you may find life a bit easier, some of the other symptoms of menopause may persist. Understand that this is normal. It is a gradually phasing out of these symptoms that will occur—not an overnight change.

What are the causes for concern?
Do you see red? I’m not talking anger here—I’m talking about blood. If you begin to have minor bleeding after not having had your period for several months, don’t take any chances; go see your doctor immediately.

Abnormal bleeding is always a cause for concern, and may be a signal that something else may be wrong. Your doctor may wish to give you a pelvic exam, ultrasound exam, or possibly even a biopsy to determine if it is endometrial cancer, cervical cancer or pre-endometrial cancer which is also called hyperplasia.

Endometrial cancer attacks the lining of the uterus. For cancer attacking female reproductive organs, this type of cancer is the most common. Current estimates are that about 40 000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year, with roughly one-tenth of those cases resulting in death. That’s the bad news. The good news is 90% survive, due to aggressive treatment. The other good news is that often, what is believed at first to be cancer is often uterine tumors, known as fibroids. If these cause bleeding or pain, they may be removed; otherwise, they are no cause for concern.

Cervical cancer originates in the cervix, near the part of the uterus that opens to the vagina. Before the Pap smear test of the 1950s, this cancer was the leading cause of death for women with cancer. Only roughly 11 000 women in the United States get this form of cancer each year, but roughly a third still die from it. Obviously, early detection is important.

Hyperplasia is not a cancer in and of itself, but those who develop it have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer in the future. Basically, it’s an increase in the size and number of normal cells within part of the breast. If a follow-up program is recommended, then by all means follow it. Often, though, hyperplasia is not harmful in any way, and may be ignored.

Your doctor is the expert.
With all these worries, it’s easy to understand why post-menopause can be a time of great concern for many women. In addition to the regular day to day stress of life, there may always be the thought in the back of the mind: What if?

There can be other causes for post menopausal bleeding, too, including hormone replacement therapy, polyps, or cuts or lesions on the outside of the vagina. A thorough exam should suffice in taking care of any concerns you may have.

In terms of other coping strategies forget about menopause and do what you love to do. You’ll have more time to explore those other parts of your life that may have been put on hold for a long time. Treat yourself well, indulge in your hobbies, and you’ll find that over time, post-menopause may be the golden years of your life.

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