Hot flashes, mood disturbances, headaches, and sleep disturbances are also common symptoms that occur during menopause. The causes of these changes are not well understood, but they are also related to the decreasing amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries.

Osteoporosis risk is greater in older women. This is caused, in part, by decreased estrogen levels.

PREVENTION and TREATMENT

Adequate lubrication (with a water-soluble lubricant) can help prevent painful sexual intercourse. A topical estrogen (applied inside the vagina) is sometimes recommended to help maintain the structure of the vaginal tissues. Sexual changes can also be related to factors other than simple aging.

Estrogen replacement (such as pills or patches) can prevent or reduce many of the symptoms associated with menopause, including vaginal atrophy and hot flashes. It also decreases the risk of complications such as osteoporosis.

However, hormone therapy (HT) may have side effects such as vaginal bleeding, and it has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease, depending on when it is started and how long it is used. The risk and benefit of treatment is different for each person so women should discuss the pros and cons of estrogen treatment with her own health care provider.

RELATED TOPICS.

• Aging changes in hormone production
• Aging changes in organs, tissues, and cells
• Aging changes in the breast
• Aging changes in the kidneys
• Aging changes in the male reproductive system

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Aging changes in the female reproductive system Prevention

Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)