Part 3: Perimenopause & Menopause: Treatment Options That Can Help

Part 3: Perimenopause & Menopause: Treatment Options That Can Help

Whether you’re just beginning the perimenopause journey or in the midst of menopause, you’re probably experiencing a wide range of symptoms, some of them only mildly annoying. In contrast, others interfere with your enjoyment of life. One of the most important things you can do is to stay ahead of the curve. Following up from our last blog post (Part 2: Perimenopause & Menopause: Knowing the Early Signs), it helps to recognize the earliest indications of perimenopause so that you can get ahead of those symptoms and work with your gynecologist, dentist, and other healthcare providers to minimize the issues and protect your health.

Starting Self-Care Before There’s a Problem

The right self-care can minimize menopause symptoms before they begin. By monitoring your weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce the symptoms that may arise. Healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and help prevent menopause-related symptoms.

• Exercising for 30 minutes a day can improve sleep and boost your mood.
• Working with weights helps prevent osteoporosis and strengthens bones.
• Taking supplements such as Vitamin D and Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule to minimize insomnia.
• Meditation and stress-reducing hobbies can help with mood swings and irritability.
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine will improve deeper sleep and calm nerves.

Being healthier and more relaxed when you enter perimenopause or menopause puts you one step ahead. You are better equipped to cope with the inevitable changes. The best time to start making those changes is now.

5 Dental Care Tips You Can’t Neglect

During perimenopause and menopause, your body undergoes a multitude of changes, and your mouth is no exception. Your teeth and gums are undergoing significant changes, and your dentist may identify concerning issues, such as loosening teeth or receding gums, that require attention.

1. The Importance of Brushing & Flossing

It’s always important to brush twice and floss once a day, but this becomes even more crucial when hormones are fluctuating. Consider setting reminders on your phone for both morning and evening to solidify the process, and invest in an electric toothbrush to ensure you get the best cleaning possible. Rinsing with an antimicrobial, non-alcohol mouthwash after brushing and flossing can also make a difference.

2. Pay Attention to a Dry Mouth

It’s easy to dismiss a dry mouth as a minor nuisance, but when experiencing perimenopause or menopause, it can be the first sign of a serious dental issue. If you aren’t producing enough saliva to wash away bacteria and sugars from around your teeth, you will develop more cavities and plaque buildup around your teeth and gums, leading to gum disease. Your dentist can prescribe artificial saliva and recommend ways to stimulate natural saliva flow.

3. Pay Attention to Your Gums

Be sure to inform your dentist that you are experiencing hormonal changes, as these can significantly impact your gums, potentially leading to gum recession. If you notice puffy gums, receding gums, or any other changes, contact your dentist immediately. There is a definite correlation between menopause and an increased risk of gum disease and periodontitis, making dental cleanings crucial at this time.

4. Increase the Frequency of Your Dental Visits

While a regular cleaning twice a year is typically recommended, ask your dentist if you should be seeing them more often during perimenopause and menopause. This ensures they can identify any changes in your oral health early and initiate treatment. Ask your dentist to coordinate with your gynecologist or physician to guarantee complete coverage of all aspects of your care.

5. Consider HRT to Minimize the Risk of Tooth Loss

If you are a candidate for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) during perimenopause or menopause and are considering it (less than 10  years with symptoms and not yet 60 years old), menopausal women are almost 25% less likely to lose their teeth if they use HRT during menopause. HRT reduces the risk of osteoporosis and gingival bleeding, both of which can contribute to eventual tooth loss. Note that, although HRT was in question many years ago, the current facts state that HRT is a benefit with few issues.

Additional Medical Options

Your gynecologist or physician can prescribe a wide range of treatment options to address moderate to severe menopause symptoms, depending on your health status. Please be sure to provide them with your complete medical history, talk about possible side effects, and be willing to try a few options to find the one that works best for you. Possible options include:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is sometimes now referred to as menopause hormone therapy. It is essentially the replacement of missing hormones, including estrogen and progestin, to alleviate or minimize symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, bone loss, and vaginal discomfort.

HRT can be administered as a vaginal ring, pills, skin patches, topical sprays, or topical gels. However, some individuals should not use HRT, including any women who have a history of breast cancer or any reproductive-related cancers.

Estrogen-Only Therapy

Women who do not have a uterus may be able to relieve menopause symptoms with estrogen alone. The most common estrogen-only therapy is Estradiol, a bio-identical hormone made from plants and formulated in medical labs to mimic natural estrogen found in the body. It can be taken in pill form, as a cream, or as a vaginal ring. Estradiol can alleviate most symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal symptoms, and mood swings.

Low-Dose Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen-only therapy is applied vaginally as a cream, ring, or tablet inserted into the vagina and is less potent than systemic HRT. Because it is a low-dose version of estrogen therapy, it is typically used to treat only vaginal symptoms such as painful sex or urinary symptoms. Mood swings and hot flashes do not usually respond to low-dose estrogen therapy.

Non-Hormone Medications

Antidepressants such as selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help reduce hot flashes and regulate mood swings. They are helpful for women who cannot take estrogen.

Several other medications treat specific symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. These include using Fezoinentant to treat hot flashes by regulating body temperature and Oxybutynin to reduce overactive bladder symptoms. The seizure and pain medication Gabapentin (Neurontin) can help relieve hot flashes, sleeplessness, and migraines in perimenopausal and menopausal women who cannot take estrogen.

Regardless of the Treatment Plan you and your doctor choose, please review it with your dentist to ensure they are aware of the medications and supplements you are taking, as these can impact your dental health.

Beneficial Supplements

Supplements, including plant-based supplements, vitamins, and minerals, have proven to be quite effective for millions of women navigating menopause. Not all supplements are FDA-approved or regulated. However, there is an impressive body of research indicating their effectiveness. Among the supplements that are known for their efficacy for specific perimenopause or menopause symptoms are:

• Magnesium Glycinate: This magnesium formulation relieves anxiety and encourages better sleep.
• Calcium: Calcium is crucial in protecting against osteoporosis and is recommended for all menopausal women over age 51.
• Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium.
• Vitamin K: It is important during menopause to stay healthy as your body goes through immense changes. Vitamin K supports your immune system and strengthens your bones. It also reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and blood clots.
• B-Complex Vitamins: B vitamins, including B12 and folate, help prevent depressive episodes and can boost energy when hormones are fluctuating.
• Turmeric: This spice has been used for centuries to relieve hot flashes, improve mood, and act as an anti-inflammatory in women experiencing hormonal fluctuations.
• Omega-3: By targeting inflammation, Omega-3 reduces hot flashes and sleeplessness. It can also reduce irritability and mood swings common in women going through perimenopause or menopause.

Perimenopause and menopause are inextricably linked to your oral health. Whether you’re navigating changes or experiencing mood swings, we hope our series on Menopause & Dental Health has provided valuable insights to make your journey easier and keep your smile healthy and beautiful. And remember, your oral health is the door to your overall health, and your dentist may be the key.