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Understanding Menopause Symptoms and Health Tips

This presentation covers common and less common menopause symptoms, vulvovaginal anatomy, bladder functions, hormonal effects on pelvic tissues, and tips for pelvic health and personal hygiene. Includes kegel exercises, bladder health, and heart health for menopausal women. Resources for further information provided.

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Understanding Menopause Symptoms and Health Tips

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  1. Menopause: A Hot TopicJo Ann Jones, RN and Myra Siminovitch, PT.Telehealth PresentationJanuary 22, 2008 Common Symptoms • Changes In Menstrual Cycle • Hot Flashes/ Night Sweats • Vaginal Dryness • Disrupted Sleep • Fatigue • Mood Swings

  2. MenopauseCommon Symptoms • Loss of sexual Desire/Painful Intercourse • Increased Body Fat • Memory and Concentration Difficulties • Wrinkles • Rogue Chin Hairs • Vision Changes

  3. MenopauseLess Common Symptoms • Crawly Feeling Under Skin • Sensitivity To Touching By Others • Acne • Rapid Heart Beat • Chills Or Extreme Warmth • Vaginal Or Urinary Tract Infections • Bloating, Gas Pains, Flatulence • Urinary Leakage

  4. MenopauseLess Common Symptoms • Migraine Headaches • Thinning Scalp Hair • Aching Ankles, Wrists, Knees, Shoulders • Anxiety and Panic Attacks • Easily Wounded Feelings • Sudden Inappropriate Bursts of Anger

  5. Taboo Topics • Vaginal Dryness • Loss of sexual Desire/Painful Intercourse • Vaginal Or Urinary Tract Infections • Urinary Leakage • Perineal & Bladder Health • Bone health • Heart Health

  6. Vulvovaginal Anatomy 101 • Vulva means “Covering” • Vulva: External Female Genital organs: Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethra • Labia Majora: Outer larger lips • Fatty pads of tissue wrap around the vulva usually covered with hair • Labia Minora: Inner smaller lips • Thin stretches of tissue that protect the vagina, urethra and clitoris • Clitoris: Highly sensitive tissue • oval-shaped body of spongy tissue, located at top of labia minora

  7. Vulvovaginal Anatomy 101 • Vagina: Opening that extends into your body • Intercourse, birth canal • Urethra: Passage for urine, connected to the bladder • Located below clitoris • Perineum: Stretch of skin from the bottom of the vulva to the anus • Vestibule: Area between the inner lips • Openings of urethra, vagina and many small glands

  8. How the Bladder Works • The bladder is a muscle which is shaped like a balloon • The Bladder has two Functions: • The storage of urine • The elimination of urine • The bladder contracts when it is full to empty

  9. How the Bladder Works • The sphincter muscle acts like a faucet. When closed it helps prevent urine from leaking. When open the urine can pass out • The brain and nervous system receive a message when the bladder is full to signal you to empty your bladder

  10. Lack of Estrogenon Pelvic Tissues • Muscles and tissues become thin and lose some of their strength and support • More prone to urinary leakage incontinence • Vaginitis: Itching, redness +soreness in and around the vagina (vulva). • difficulty with penetration/sexual activity • Bladder infections become more frequent • discharge from the vagina can lead to UTI. • The bacteria irritates the bladder and makes it contract more often • Burning feeling or pain when voiding • Having to void frequently and urgently

  11. Loss of Estrogen • Causes the tissues around the bladder to lose their tone • Causes loss of tightness of the sphincter muscle

  12. Pelvic floor Muscles • Support, hold in pelvic contents • Bladder, urethra, bowel, vagina and uterus • Closing Force • When tightened, muscles around the urethra, vagina and anus place a closing force to stop leakage

  13. Take Control • Bladder Health • “Leaking” Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging • Bone health • Broken Bones Can Be Prevented • Heart Health • Be Aware

  14. Take Control • Dryness or mild discomfort • Lubricants: Astroglide, Gynemoistrine, • KY gel, Replens • Vulvar & Vaginal Atrophy • Local application of estrogen in the form of tablet, cream or ring

  15. Personal Hygiene • Wash and wipe from the front to the back • Wash with warm water and pat or blow dry • Use Dove Liquid Soap • Avoid • feminine hygiene sprays • bubble bath • baby wipes • Wear white cotton underwear

  16. Take Control • Bladder Health • “Leaking” Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging • Bone health • Broken Bones Can Be Prevented • Heart Health • Be Aware

  17. Kegel Exercises • Contract your pelvic floor muscles as if you wanted to hold gas or as if you wanted to stop the urine flow • Do not contract your stomach, seat or leg muscles • Hold for 5-10 seconds, relax 10 seconds • Repeat 10 times in a row = 1 set • Repeat 6-7 sets per day

  18. Menopause & Heart Health • Increase in cholesterol and other blood fats • Increase in blood pressure • Increase in weight • Prevention: • Healthy lifestyle • Check blood pressure and Cholesterol levels

  19. Resources • The North American Menopause Society • www.menopause.org • Women’s Mid Life Health Centre Of Saskatchewan • www.menopausecentre.org

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