Often killed and poorly managed, menopause can have a strong impact on the quality of life of women. Here is how to best manage this particular period according to Geoffroy Robin, medical gynecologist at the Jeanne-de-Flandre hospital (Lille University Hospital) and general secretary of the CNGOF.
– Better Living Health: What is menopause?
Dr. Geoffroy Robin – It is the definitive cessation of the functioning of the ovaries, which have a physiological function and a reproductive function in women.
Menopause is diagnosed when a person goes a year without menstruating.
– How long can the menopausal transition last?
This can happen suddenly overnight or take much longer (6 months to 10 years).
Indeed, the ovary may not work for several months and then start working again.
– Can you still get pregnant during this transition?
Absolutely, there is a risk of pregnancy during the installation of menopause, even if it is greatly reduced between 40 and 50 years.
– What is the average age of menopause in France?
51 years old.
– What are the symptoms of menopause?
It is quite possible that the gradual cessation of the functioning of the ovaries takes place without women noticing anything and experiencing menopause as a non-event.
Nevertheless, many can suffer from different more or less debilitating symptoms, such as hot flashes, excessive sweating, development of redness on the body, deterioration in the quality of sleep, fatigue, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, decreased libido, joint pain, decreased muscle mass, development of belly fat, anxiety-depressive tendencies or even difficulty concentrating.
– What to do if you suffer from symptomatic menopause?
The most important thing is to consult a gynecologist or an endocrinologist specialized in this field, so that he evaluates the complaints and offers the most effective hormonal treatment in patients who have no contraindications.
– Indeed, many women are very worried about this type of treatment. How do you answer them?
It is true that the WHI study published in 2003 gave a very negative image of these treatments, in particular because they were associated at the time with a higher risk of breast cancer. Nevertheless, I invite my patients to put it aside because it was full of bias and to start hormonal treatment as soon as the symptoms affect the quality of life.
– How effective is this treatment?
It makes it possible to eliminate the majority of the symptoms, because as they are linked to the estrogen deficiency, re-importing these female hormones into the body corrects everything.
– Is it interesting to set up a psychological follow-up for certain women who enter the menopause?
Yes of course. A psychological follow-up can be beneficial for women who suffer from a persistent anxiety-depressive climate despite the implementation of hormonal treatments.
– Are there also things to do in terms of personal hygiene?
Absolutely. You must first try to have regular physical activity (without falling into excess because of osteoporosis, editor’s note). It is also advisable to have a balanced diet, limit snacking, eat two to three dairy products a day and set up vitamin D supplementation.
– The menopause is still very taboo in France. Do you advise women to open up to loved ones (spouse, children, friends, etc.) when they begin this transition?
Absolutely. Contrary to what many of my patients still think, menopause is not a failure, it’s just a normal physiological period in a woman’s life. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it.
– Is menopause well taken care of in France?
No, in particular because there is unfortunately no systematic evaluation of patients, that some doctors miss it a bit due to lack of time or training and that many women do not consult a gynecologist.
