Want to maintain good sexual health but concerned on the issue of menopause? Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head and Consultant Family Physician at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Women approaching perimenopause and menopause may overlook their sexual health during this period. Physical changes, body image issues, and experience pain during intercourse are just some of the symptoms experienced during this transitional period. However it is important to identify these issues to help you maintain good sexual health in your golden years. Our expert is here to help answer any question you might have regarding sexual health issues for women approaching perimenopause and menopause.
Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head and Consultant Family Physician from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Menopause Unit at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Question by jesschia482
Dear Dr Ang,
hot flushes, irritable and sleep disturbance, joint pain, backache are commonly associated with menopause women, may I know how long will these symptoms last? Meaning 1yr, 2yrs or forever until the day you die.
Thank you.
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Hot flushes begin about two years before the final menstrual period and peak about a year after it. They are usually short-lived, lasting between five to ten minutes per episode. The frequency can vary from once every few days, to two to four times an hour. Hot flushes also vary in severity, and so require different types and combinations of intervention.
Managing stress and exercising more often can help to improve symptoms of mild to moderate hot flushes. Women with severe symptoms, or those who do not see any improvement with their lifestyle management may consider hormone therapy – the most effective treatment for hot flushes.
Those who have hot flushes that last for more than 30 minutes each time should seek medical advice to exclude medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism and brain tumours.
Severe hot flushes can also disturb sleep and cause irritability. Menopause can also trigger depression in women with a previous history of depression or life stressors. These may last from a couple of months to three to five years. Generally it tends to improve with time from the last menstrual period.
To deal with sleep disturbances and irritability, try to improve on sleep hygiene, better manage your daily stress level, use mind-body therapies and maintain an active and supportive social life.
Joint pains and backaches appear to be common in Asians but the exact cause is unknown. Regular exercises and stretching may help to manage these issues.
Reposted by Administrator
Dear doctor,
I’m heading towards menopausal age – turning 52 in a few months. Aside from hot flushes, are there unusual symptoms to look out for? How will that affect one’s sex life? I understand menopause lowers sex drive in all women?
Curiousgeorge67
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Different women experience different symptoms (physical and/or psychological) during menopause.
Majority of women go through menopause with no issues. The most common physical symptoms that women experience are vasomotor symptoms manifesting as a spontaneous sensation of warmth, usually felt on the chest, neck and face, and may be associated with perspiration, palpitations and anxiety. These episodes are described as hot flushes, hot flashes and night sweats, and can affect up to 50 percent of women.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is also one of the common symptoms during menopause transition. Vaginal dryness and itching can occur due to atrophic vaginitis as a result of lack of the hormone oestrogen. The vaginal skin becomes more crumbly and more prone to inflammation and infections causing vaginal discharge. Intercourse can become more painful due to the atrophy, and this may lead to a decline in sex drive.
Atrophy in the urogenital region also leads to urinary symptoms such as the need to urinate more frequently, increased urgency to urinate and incontinence (sudden, involuntary leakage of urine).
For some women, the skeletal symptoms will predominate. Back pain, muscle and joint pains can occur. Osteopenia and gradually osteoporosis can affect the bones increasing the risk of fractures.
Reposted by Administrator
Hi Dr Ang,
How can I improve intimacy with my partner? And what can I do to treat vaginal dryness during menopause? Is there medicine to help with this problem please? Thank you!
bluesandcastles
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
You may wish to read this article here:
www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/womenhealth/Pages/physical-intimacy-after-menopause.aspx
Reposted by Administrator
Dear Dr Ang,
Do I still have to worry about STD during menopause?
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Yes, you certainly still need to take precaution during sexual intercourse even when one is approaching menopause.
Reposted by Administrator
Dear doc,
Are Kegel exercises helpful during menopause? What about after menopause? Although I am only 39 years old, I think this is something to start thinking about. Thanks!
Riseandshine
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Yes, start pelvic floor exercises as early as possible as this set of exercises help to strengthen the muscles used during sex and also prevent urinary stress incontinence.
Reposted by Administrator
Dear Dr Ang,
I am 42 and I read somewhere that perimenopause can set in as early as in one’s 30s. My periods have always been irregular anyway. I think I have had a few “hot flashes” but they don’t seem to occur regularly. How do I know I if I am hitting perimenopause? Thank you.
Soo.dna
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Perimenopause is the term used to describe the menopause transition years. It includes the years before and after the final period (although it is only possible to determine in retrospect which episode of flow was actually the final period).
Signs of the menopause transition can begin in some women as early as in their 30s, although most women become aware of the transition in their mid to late 40s. The duration of perimenopause is variable, ranging from a few years to 10 years and beyond. It is not possible to predict in advance, the actual duration and severity of perimenopause in a woman.
In these transition years, women may undergo noticeable physical and emotional changes resulting from fluctuations and a gradual decline in the female hormones. The most common of these symptoms include erratic, irregular periods and the "hot flash" or "hot flush", a sudden temporary increase in body temperature. Other symptoms that can be encountered during the perimenopausal period include mood changes, insomnia, fatigue and memory problems.
Reposted by Administrator
Hi, I am 53, my menses had stop since July this year. Do I need to take precaution to prevent pregnancy? Thank you.
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
After a woman experiences 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, this heralds menopause, and the perimenopause period is over. Since you have not had your menses for less than a year, you would still need to take precaution to prevent pregnancy.
Reposted by Administrator
Dear Dr Ang,
I am 48 and in the perimenopause stage since Feb 2015. I started taking Isoflavinol and black cohosh supplements every night and increase intake of soy products hoping that my symptoms e.g. hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, and urinary urgency during months that I don't menstruate, would either be reduced or go away. However, there has been little or no improvement. This is causing me frustration and is affecting my lifestyle. I do not have any contraindications to hormone replacement therapy, thus, I would like to know if I can be prescribed HRT. Thanks for your time.
Answered by Dr Ang Seng Bin, Head & Consultant Family Physician, Menopause Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Studies on supplements have not been conclusive and their long-term safety data is also not clear. If you have menopausal symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, do explore with your doctor and evaluate the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. Lifestyle measures including more regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, adopting a regular sleep regime and avoiding triggers should be attempted before you consider hormone therapy.
Ref: Q15
