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Mercy ob/gyn Dr. Carmen Farrior

Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Carmen Farrior Discusses Tips On Coping With Menopause On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

While menopause symptoms can be all over the place and can leave women feeling just as sloppy, there are ways to handle the worst of the symptoms.

Russet Jackson, 52, said she's right in the throes of menopause and is doing her best to cope with them.

"It's like an internal heater comes on. You never know when it's going to happen. It starts building up. I'm sweating more than I've ever sweated," she told 11 News.

Jackson said she's also tired because she doesn't sleep well.

Mercy Medical Center OB/GYN Dr. Carmen Farrior said those are symptoms she hears a lot.

"For some women, it interferes with their quality of life -- waking up in the night, and they're irritable in the day because they're tired, and being unable to concentrate in the day while having a hot flash is a big complaint," Dr. Farrior said.

Women may want to keep a diary to find out what may be triggering their hot flashes. Some common triggers are spicy foods, caffeine or alcohol.

There are treatments for symptom relief, including alternative therapies such as black cohosh and soy products that have helped some women. There are also anti-depressants or hormone replacement therapy.

Jackson said she doesn't want to take medication and is just hoping it's over soon.

"I walk by the refrigerator and stick my head in just to cool off. It's a lot to deal with," she said.

To view Dr. Farrior's interview with WBAL-TV11, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/23896275/detail.html