🌸 Menopause: Science, Care & Compassion

Menopause is a natural transition, not an illness. It usually happens between 45–55 years, when estrogen levels drop and the ovaries stop releasing eggs.

🔍 Symptoms many women face:

• Hot flashes & night sweats
• Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vaginal dryness & intimacy challenges
• Higher risk of osteoporosis & heart disease

💡 Management – according to guidelines (NICE & ACOG):

🔹 Lifestyle & Prevention

• Healthy diet (calcium + vitamin D)
• Regular exercise: walking, yoga, resistance training
• Stop smoking, limit caffeine & alcohol

🔹 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• Gold standard for moderate–severe symptoms
• Most effective if started <60 years or within 10 years of menopause
• Benefits: reduces hot flashes, protects bones, improves sleep & mood
• Risks: slight ↑ risk of breast cancer or clotting (must be individualized)
• Review every 6–12 months

🔹 Non-Hormonal Options

• SSRIs/SNRIs, gabapentin, clonidine → help with hot flashes
• Vaginal estrogen or moisturizers → for dryness & sexual health
• SERMs or bisphosphonates → for bone health

💙 Support matters:

Menopause can feel overwhelming — but no woman should go through it alone. Compassion, family support, and open conversations with doctors make all the difference.

👉 To every woman in this stage: you are not alone. Your body is changing, but your value, beauty, and strength are not fading. With awareness, guidance, and care, this chapter can be one of freedom, renewal, and resilience. 🌸✨

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