Menopausal health - a concern for woman

This era is of women empowerment. Menopausal health has been one of the neglected areas in our country. The need of today is to educate the perimenopausal women and prepare them well in advance to look forward to more than 30 further years of life after menopause as years full of quality and enjoyment. We should enable menopausal women to enjoy years of new found confidence with a positive attitude and years of independence. Females with menopausal problems not only need medical help but also reassurance, support, detailed counselling and, of course, a patient listener. This helps them cope better with the issues related to their health.

Experiences of women during menopause are often unique to them. Some women are able to undergo the menopausal transition without any problem. Some experience a variety of menopausal symptoms. The duration varies; for some women, the symptoms cease shortly after the occurrence of menopause, yet other women will continue experiencing them for many years. These menopausal symptoms may be unpleasant for some but not very bothersome for others.

Symptoms of Menopause and their management:

1.Change in pattern of menstrual period

Basic resort to treating a heavy menstrual flow should be natural, non-invasive remedies, such as taking B-Complex vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin C, which are thought to regulate the body’s estrogen levels. At this time, due to loss of blood, women may feel weak. They should add more of green leafy vegetables, juices and fruits in their diet. In most cases the changes in pattern and flow of periods are tolerated well by women. Some cases may need hysterectomy if the bleeding is very severe or too heavy.

2. Many women experience ‘heat sensation’ at menopause called hot flushes

How to tackle hot flushes: Physical and psychological symptoms of ‘heat’ can be tackled by drinking lots of water, shikanjvi, lassi, amm pana etc. Herbal teas can also help. Wear soft and loose clothing. Eat smaller meals, more often. Walk away from aggravating situations. Keep your bedroom cool at night. Use fans during the day. Wear light layers of clothes with natural fibres such as cotton. If possible, go to the bathroom and splash the face with cold water. This will quickly lower body temperature and alleviate the episode. Fresh air is great for reducing stress. Go for a short walk. If nothing else, venture out in a balcony or verandah. It is helpful for women with hot flushes. At the onset, breathe slowly and get some clean air.

3. Women may also have excess sweating during the night.

To prevent night sweats

· Avoid doing anything that could stress out body or mind.

· Avoid spicy foods and caffeinated food/drink before bedtime.

· Avoid large meals before going to bed. Avoid official or physical household work before going to bed.

· Deep breathing exercise for 15 minutes every morning and night before sleep.

· Always wear light loose cotton clothes.

· Keep your bedroom cool when it’s time to sleep.

4. With the onset of menopause intercourse can become uncomfortable or painful.

To tackle dry skin / vagina: Women may use specialized topical moisturizers or water-based lubricants in order to reduce the effects of vaginal dryness temporarily. Drinking plenty of water can also help keep vaginal tissues hydrated. Vitamin E oil also may be helpful for combating vaginal dryness in the short-term.

5. Skin becomes thinner at menopause


To avoid skin problems and itching

· Consume fatty acids, vitamins and minerals (particularly vitamin B, D and E) and proteins.

· Avoid harsh soaps.

· Avoid itching.

· The use of moisturizing creams that can replenish the skin’s lost moisture.

· Drink plenty of water.

· Good hygiene.

6. About 90% of menopausal women experience some amount of weight gain.



Simple changes in lifestyle can give good results in reducing weight.

· Regular exercise : go for a walk and do yoga.

· Eat Balanced diet.

· Avoid potatoes, sweets, rice, fried food, maida based
food, etc.

· Get sleep of 7-8 hours daily.

· Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, soda/cola products.

· Drink plenty of water.

7. Many women experience symptoms of mood swings:

Frequent mood changes are:

· Unexplainable emotions · Depression

· Sadness · Lack of motivation

· Aggression · Irritability

· Increased stress · Decreased patience

· Nervousness · Anxiety

Basic tips to tackle mood swings: Simple changes in lifestyle can give good results in fighting mood swings, and achieving a higher overall level of health. For reducing stress; yoga or meditation, combined with regular exercise and an improved diet can do women a great help. Diet, in particular is critical in regulating mood swings. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugary food or excessive intake of caffeine, stabilizes mood levels.

8. Sleep disorders: For menopausal women, the most commonly reported sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, and restless leg syndrome.

For a good night’s sleep

· Go to bed only when sleepy.

· Sleep only in the bedroom.

· Get up at the same time each morning.

· Discontinue caffeine and nicotine.

· Exercise daily.

· Avoid alcohol.

· Limit fluid intake in the evening.

· Practice relaxation techniques

We suggest following approaches and strategies to tackle the problems of menopause.

1. Having a positive attitude towards life: All women will benefit if they decide to have a positive attitude towards life. It will help them to accept menopause as a natural event. They should feel empowered enough to overcome the menopausal symptoms on their own. They should think about a new role they can play in society and in their families.

2. Cultivate a hobby:. Hobbies keep a woman active. These boost her mood and help keep her mind sharp.

3. Being religious/spiritual may help women deal with menopause

4. Try meditation for menopause related problems

5. Do exercise regularly

6. Try yoga

7. Generate family support - especially of the husband:An understanding husband can help the wife tremendously in this transitional phase of life. For this, the husband must know about menopause and expected symptoms. He also needs to be educated on this topic.

8. Take advice of a gynaecologist when needed

9. Take control of your life style

10 .Menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Thus, it is clear that HRT can provide relief from menopausal symptoms. However, it may be harmful also. Risk of cancer is likely to increase. Many hassles are also involved. So, there is a dilemma whether to use hormone therapy or not. One may think that it is safer to tolerate the symptoms for sometime rather than face the possible risk of cancer due to HRT. Many women may try home remedies for certain menopausal symptoms. Even these have been said to provide relief.

The decision whether to use or avoid HRT use is difficult. We leave this to the reader. However, our opinion is that hormone use should be avoided as far as possible. Only in rare cases, one may resort to hormone use. Even that too should be done with proper recommendations and counseling by a qualified doctor.



Release of Books on Women's Health - Menopause

Following 5 books are being released today as a part of the MPBT Room project grant from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. The aim is to demystify the self care for many of women's health problems through non-medicinal counselling based approach.This is being implemented in room 2060 of in new OPD with full co-operation of resident doctors, faculty and other staff of Obstetrics and Gynecology department.


1. Menopause: A new approach to deal with menopause related problems (ENGLISH)

2. Rajoneevriti: Menopause se sambandhit samseyaao ke samadhan ka ek naya drishtikon (HINDI)

3. Rajoneevriti: menopause naal sambandhit samseyaawan de samadhan da ik nawa drishtikon (PUNJABI)

4.Sharma R,Kumari S, Kaushal P,Jain V,Mandal A.K Singh A.“ “Mahilaon mein peshab leakage”(Urinary Incontinence) New Delhi, New Era International Imprints 2013.ISBN No-978-81-290-0074-3



5.Sharma R,Kumari S, Kaushal P,Jain V,Mandal A.K Singh A.“ “Auratan vich pishab leakage”(Urinary Incontinence) New Delhi, New Era International Imprints 2013.ISBN No-978-81-290-0074-3



These books highlight the importance of lifestyle modification (meditation, yoga, exercises and menopause related diet and home remedies) to deal with menopause related symptoms. These books will help all perimenopausal ladies to learn about various measures that can be taken to lead a healthy, symptom free life after menopause. Each version of the book contains 64 pages, costs Rs 105 and is published by New Era International Imprints, Chandigarh through the project grant of Department of Bio-technology, Govt. of India. Contributors of the book include DBT Research Project Staff (Dr. Purnima Kaushal, Dr. Ruchi Sharma), and faculty from Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Dr. Neelam Aggarwal, Dr. Seema Chopra) and faculty from School of Public Health (Dr. Amarjeet Singh), PGIMER, Chandigarh.This team of dedicated doctors provide treatment and counselling to perimenopausal ladies in OBG OPD.

These books will be given free of cost ( as a part of DBT project) in the Multipurpose Behavior Therapy Room no. 2060 in Gynecology OPD to all women who report there with menopause related problems. Counseling will also be given to these women by the project staff after initial check up in main Gynecology OPD.

Also, the Hindi and Punjabi version of our book on urinary leakage will be released along with abovementioned books. In fact, many of the perimenopausal ladies do suffer from this problem. So, they will also be benefitted. Very good response has been received regarding the counselling / training provided to women who have urine leakage. Most of them have reported relief.So far more tahn 2600 women have benefitted through the services provided through MPBT room.