YORK, Pa. — All women go through menopause, and up to a quarter of them will experience severe physical and mental health symptoms.
Yet, experts say far too many women aren't prepared for the change of life when it comes.
Mood swings, brain fog... and hot flashes, oh my. All women go through menopause.
Eighty percent of them experience some type of symptoms, and yet, "It's one of those things where when you're going through it, you really do feel like you're the only person going through it," said Christine Bowser of York County. "It was a good three years of misery."
Twenty-five percent of women suffer with severe mental and physical health symptoms. Bowser was one of them. Hesitant to try hormone replacement therapy, she struggled for years with night sweats and hot flashes after turning 50.
"I used to line up like three pairs of pajamas beside my bed and I would switch them out and change, drenched," she said. "It was a complete quality of life issue."
Bowser finally gave in, meeting with hormone specialist Dr. Taasha Guillemette (CRNP, MSCP) with WellSpan Health.
"We don't have to struggle... menopause doesn't have to be a dirty word," said Dr. Guillemette.
She says from pills to patches and even over-the-counter herbal remedies, there are dozens of treatment options out there for women so they don't have to suffer.
"There is help out there, and it is safe, and it is effective, and it is a life-changing thing," she said.
The severity of menopause symptoms and how to treat them are specific to each individual and often change throughout the process.
"I have friends who have never had a hot flash, they have no idea what night sweats are, they have no idea what brain fog is," said Bowser.
Dr. Guillemette says many issues can arise from one specific cause: a lack of sleep.
"If we could get women to sleep better, I think that would be half the battle; because when you don't sleep, it impacts everything the next day," Dr. Guillemette said.
Other than getting good sleep, your best bet is to see a professional who specializes in "the change."
"Get your bloodwork done, find out where your hormones are, because I have a good friend who says if your hormones are screwed up, your entire body is screwed up," Bowser said.
For Bowser, taking the step to see a specialist helped get her back on the road to a happier, less frustratingly hot and sweaty life.
For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Guillemette, click here.