Menopause: Advice from Dr. Katharina Sirch
A book as the author warns, divided into three major chapters: the body, the mind, beauty and where all the typical changes and problems of this phase of life are addressed, a phase that women today are finding increasingly difficult to face. Through stories and expert opinions, quotes from showbiz stars and great thinkers, it discusses osteoporosis, weight gain, nutrition, mood swings, fertility and much more.
For vaginal dryness and urinary leakage, Elena Mora brings in Dr. Katharina Sirch, who practices aesthetic medicine in Lugano.
“As a doctor and as a woman, I wanted to be able to help women experience the premenopausal and menopausal period more lightly, trying to relieve some of the bothersome issues that are rarely talked about,” says Dr. Katharina Sirch. “For vaginal laxity, but also to improve lubrication, we get excellent results with radiofrequency. I believe that menopausal women have the right to live as satisfying a sex life as possible and this treatment can help in that sense. Especially at a certain age, 2 out of 3 women may suffer from incontinence and these problems deeply affect daily and social life and radiofrequency can successfully treat them.”
Radiofrequency treatment consists of a protocol of 3 sessions one month apart and one maintenance session after a year; in addition to improving lubrication and laxity, it can be very useful for stress or physiological incontinence; addressing or resolving this issue without surgery is very important. The sessions do not require anesthesia nor any postoperative recovery; the patient can resume sexual or sports activity immediately. Often women who complain of these issues of dryness or incontinence are told, “What do you expect? It’s part of life” a response that, even from a medical point of view, I consider out of place. If there is a way to improve quality of life, why not? Some don’t talk about it because they think that, if their friends don’t mention it, the problem affects only them.
Functional and Aesthetic Problems...
On page 156, Dr. Katharina Sirch discusses the use of botox to improve expression lines: those between the eyebrows and in the forehead area.
Is botox a poison? False, explains the doctor: “It is a drug and, as such, it has undergone a series of studies that tested its efficacy, monitored side effects and approved its use. Initially, it was used in ophthalmology for blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid closure) and that’s when it was discovered that the wrinkles around the eyes had smoothed out; that’s how it was introduced into aesthetic medicine. There are other therapeutic uses for botox: for the treatment of congenital torticollis, for certain bladder problems and for hyperhidrosis that is, excessive sweating in the underarms, palms and soles. The effect of botox lasts 5 to 6 months. However, the effect of the same dilution and the same units can last much longer depending on the type of skin, muscle thickness and also the patient's condition at that time.”
Dr. Katharina Sirch, however, warns: prevention is better.
“With increasing life expectancy, we must prevent aging in time. No to smoking, no to too much sun. Yes to a proper diet. I also recommend supplements because today’s foods no longer contain the nutritional elements that some foods had 30 or 50 years ago. To have healthy, well-hydrated skin, I would recommend revitalizing treatments that are both curative and preventive.”
And to redefine the facial contour, what are the latest developments?
“For a few years now, we’ve been using threads made of polylactic acid or Polydioxanone (PDO). These threads define the contour very well and after insertion the skin remains firmer. Of course, it’s not the effect of a facelift, but it also avoids the distortion of facial features that sometimes comes with a facelift. The thread is attached to a thin needle and PDO is a material that has been used in general surgery for over fifteen years to suture internal organs. It is inserted under the skin, fully absorbed within about 4 months, but the effect lasts from 8 months to a year. And it provides not only a lifting effect but also stimulates new collagen and elastin to slow sagging.”
“First of all, there is a philosophy of life,” concludes Dr. Katharina Sirch “loving oneself and accepting oneself.” As Sharon Stone teaches us: “I don’t want to be an ageless beauty, I want to be as beautiful as possible at every age of my life.”
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