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Menopause is called “the change” for a reason. Stress, anxiety, and pain are just a few of the symptoms that may crop up for women during this phase of life. Whether you are currently experiencing menopause or simply want to be prepared once the change arrives, you may be surprised to find that having a Missouri medical marijuana card could help ease your symptoms.
When Does Menopause Usually Occur?
Menopause is the official name for the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycle ceases. According to the Mayo clinic, menopause is officially diagnosed once a woman goes a full twelve months without menstruating. It can occur in women in their early 40’s through 50’s, but the average age that menopause begins is 51.
Early menopause does occur, but it is rare. Around one percent of women will experience early menopause, which is defined as when a woman reaches this stage of life before the age of 40.
How Long Does Menopause Last?
According to the National Institute on Aging, the menopausal transition typically lasts about 7 years but could go on for as long as 14. During this transition, your body begins using energy differently. Your body’s production of estrogen and progesterone stop, two hormones produced by the ovaries, which may lead to a variety of symptoms as your body adjusts.
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?
Menopause is not a disease or a disorder, as it is a natural part of aging. Some women do not experience any issues during this phase and actually find they feel relieved that they won’t have to worry about having painful periods or getting pregnant. But, for many women, menopause does come with some symptoms that may be uncomfortable.
If you are concerned you may be entering menopause, we recommend that you consult your doctor before beginning any treatment plan. The following are some of the symptoms that may occur during menopause or during the period leading up to it:
Menstrual Irregularity - If you aren’t menstruating regularly, it could be a sign that menopause is on the way, especially if you are in your 40’s or 50’s. Menopause is typically diagnosed once you have gone a full year without experiencing your regular menstrual cycle.
Hot Flashes - These are the most well-known and one of the most off-putting symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes come on suddenly and are characterized by becoming rapidly hot, seemingly out-of-nowhere.
Night Sweats - These are hot flashes that occur during sleep, causing you to sweat.
Weight Gain - Your metabolism will slow down during menopause and weight gain is a fairly common side effect.
Memory Issues - Having small recall issues pop up is a natural part of aging. Your memory simply may not be as sharp as it once was. If you have cognitive issues that are more pressing, however, it is always a good idea to consult a medical professional.
Mood Swings - As your hormone levels go through changes, you may find that you are more emotional or that smaller things trigger an outburst.
Insomnia - Difficulty sleeping may actually be a domino symptom, meaning that other menopausal issues, such as night sweats or mood swings, make it difficult to get comfortable or sleep the entire night through.
Fatigue - During menopause, your body’s hormone production is changing. This may cause extreme fatigue in some women. The good news is that this condition is usually temporary until your body regulates itself. If you experience this for a prolonged time, you may want to consult a doctor just to rule out other potential factors.
Vaginal Dryness - With less estrogen comes a variety of problems. One of those can be vaginal dryness. With this, the walls of the vagina can become dry and less flexible. This can cause issues with urination and pain during sexual activities.
Lowered Sex Drive - This sometimes happens as a result of hormonal shifts in your body, potentially combined with the aforementioned vaginal dryness. It could also be because of other life situations and stress factors. If it is becoming a problem for your relationships, there may be treatments your doctor can recommend.
Headaches - During menopause, your vascular system often becomes unstable. One of the effects of this is often headaches. During this time, you may notice an increase in tension headaches and migraines.
How Can Medical Marijuana Help Relieve Menopause Symptoms?
Many women going through menopause find that cannabis can help relieve some of their symptoms, making this phase of life more manageable.
One of the medical experts on the subject of menopause is Dr. Lauren Streicher. In her book, Hot Flash Hell, she details a study completed in 2020 that found 27% of menopausal women reported using cannabis “to alleviate hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and brain fog.”
If you are experiencing sleeplessness related to menopause, you’ll be glad to know that studies show that medical marijuana can be an effective tool to help you get a good night’s sleep. If headaches are an issue for you, you should be aware that cannabis has also been shown to help those suffering from migraines.
Cannabis is gaining acclaim for the way it helps so many deal with anxiety, and many studies are starting to suggest that medical marijuana may help those struggling with depression. Both of these are symptoms that may occur during the large life changes caused by menopause, and a recent study suggested these were major factors that menopausal women were treating with cannabis. If you are struggling with the symptoms or menopause, you owe it to yourself to see if medical marijuana might help make this phase of life easier.
Ready to Relieve Your Menopause Symptoms?
If you are ready to see if cannabis can help ease your menopause symptoms, you’ll need a valid Missouri medical marijuana card. If you need some help getting your card, we can help you with that! Our medical staff is standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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