Why Do I Still Have Menopause Symptoms? WHY!

A 2018 research study from Mayo Clinic found that more women than previously thought continue to have hot flashes and other menopause symptoms into their 60s, 70s and 80s.

Researchers asked nearly 5,000 women in that study whether they experienced symptoms commonly associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Of the participants, 921 were age 60 or older, and 41.2 percent reported continuing to have modest to extreme hot flashes and night sweats.

The researchers found that older women with hot flashes and other symptoms were more likely to be married or in a committed partnership and less likely to describe their health as “excellent.”

They were also more likely to have experienced medical menopause, such as removal of the ovaries during a hysterectomy or another operation. High caffeine intake appeared to increase the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats in women age 70 and older. Menopause symptoms were less common among women using hormone replacement therapy.

The scientists noted that the advantage of hormone replacement therapy typically surpasses the threat in appropriately selected females younger than 60 who are within ten years of menopause. But they stated that it’s “unclear as to when the suitable time is to stop hormones,” adding that the Northern American Menopause Culture, the Endocrine Society, and also The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all recommend against the arbitrary discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy based on age alone.

Uncomfortable sex as a result of vaginal dryness comes up often after menopause, but according to a study of about 800 women age 45 and older along with 305 women’s health care providers, lots of them are not well informed about the subject.

The survey results, reported by “HealthyWomen,” a nonprofit health information service, showed that 62 percent of 555 women respondents experienced pain during sexual intercourse. Among 308 respondents, 69 percent did not know that the issue was treatable. Of 335 respondents who reported constant discomfort during sex, 73 percent described the pain as moderate to severe.

The survey also found that 33 percent of 314 women were avoiding sex altogether. Sixty percent of 337 menopausal women said they had never mentioned painful sex to a healthcare provider.

Many women do not discuss these symptoms with their healthcare providers and may not learn about available therapies.