Definition of menopause
Menopause
is defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period and marks
the end of menstrual cycles in women. Menopause can happen in women in their
40s or 50s, but the average age is of menopause for women is 51.
is defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period and marks
the end of menstrual cycles in women. Menopause can happen in women in their
40s or 50s, but the average age is of menopause for women is 51.
Menopause
is a natural biological process. Although it also ends fertility, women can
still stay healthy, vital and sexual. Some women feel relieved because they no
longer need to worry about pregnancy. Even so, the physical symptoms, such as
hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt sleep, lower
energy or for some women trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss.
is a natural biological process. Although it also ends fertility, women can
still stay healthy, vital and sexual. Some women feel relieved because they no
longer need to worry about pregnancy. Even so, the physical symptoms, such as
hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt sleep, lower
energy or for some women trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss.
Signs and symptoms of
menopause
menopause
In the months or years leading up to menopause (referred
to as peri-menopause), a woman might experience some or all of these signs and
symptoms:
to as peri-menopause), a woman might experience some or all of these signs and
symptoms:
·
Irregular periods
Irregular periods
·
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness
·
Hot flashes
Hot flashes
·
Night sweats
Night sweats
·
Sleep problems
Sleep problems
·
Mood changes
Mood changes
·
Weight gain and slowed metabolism
Weight gain and slowed metabolism
·
Thinning hair and dry skin
Thinning hair and dry skin
·
Loss of breast fullness
Loss of breast fullness
It is possible, but very unusual, for a woman to
menstruate every month right up to herlast period. More likely, women experience
some irregularity in their periods. Skipping periods during perimenopause is
common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will occur every two to four
months during perimenopause, especially one to two years before menopause. Despite
irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If a women skipped a period but
aren’t sure she has started the menopausal transition, the most reasonable this
to do is to seek the help of a doctor to
determine whether the situation whether it is the menopausal transition or
pregnancy.
menstruate every month right up to herlast period. More likely, women experience
some irregularity in their periods. Skipping periods during perimenopause is
common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will occur every two to four
months during perimenopause, especially one to two years before menopause. Despite
irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If a women skipped a period but
aren’t sure she has started the menopausal transition, the most reasonable this
to do is to seek the help of a doctor to
determine whether the situation whether it is the menopausal transition or
pregnancy.
Causes of menopause
Menopause can result from:
·
Natural decline of reproductive hormones: As a
woman approaches late 30s, her ovaries start making less estrogen and
progesterone which are the hormones that regulate menstruation and her
fertility declines.In her 40s, her menstrual periods may become longer or
shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually on
average, by age 51 the monthly periods cease.
Natural decline of reproductive hormones: As a
woman approaches late 30s, her ovaries start making less estrogen and
progesterone which are the hormones that regulate menstruation and her
fertility declines.In her 40s, her menstrual periods may become longer or
shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually on
average, by age 51 the monthly periods cease.
·
Primary ovarian insufficiency: About 1
percent of women experience menopause before age 40 (premature menopause).
Menopause may result from primary ovarian insufficiency (when the ovaries fail
to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones) resulting from genetic
factors or disease. But often no cause can be found.
Primary ovarian insufficiency: About 1
percent of women experience menopause before age 40 (premature menopause).
Menopause may result from primary ovarian insufficiency (when the ovaries fail
to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones) resulting from genetic
factors or disease. But often no cause can be found.
·
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is a surgical
operation that removes the uterus and/or the ovaries. Depending on the case, periods
stop and the woman may experience hot flashes and other menopausal signs and
symptoms, which can be severe, as these hormonal changes occur abruptly rather
than over several years.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is a surgical
operation that removes the uterus and/or the ovaries. Depending on the case, periods
stop and the woman may experience hot flashes and other menopausal signs and
symptoms, which can be severe, as these hormonal changes occur abruptly rather
than over several years.
·
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: These
cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes
during or shortly after the course of treatment. The halt to menstruation (and
fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so birth control
measures may still be desired.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: These
cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes
during or shortly after the course of treatment. The halt to menstruation (and
fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so birth control
measures may still be desired.
Many of the signs and symptoms associated with
menopause are temporary, so proper understanding and adequate management will
help to reduce or prevent their effects. Management of some discomfort
associated with menopause are stated below:
menopause are temporary, so proper understanding and adequate management will
help to reduce or prevent their effects. Management of some discomfort
associated with menopause are stated below:
·
Cool hot flashes: Take a
cold glass of water or go somewhere cooler. Try to pinpoint what triggers hot
flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, caffeine, spicy
foods, alcohol, stress, hot weather and even a warm room.
Cool hot flashes: Take a
cold glass of water or go somewhere cooler. Try to pinpoint what triggers hot
flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, caffeine, spicy
foods, alcohol, stress, hot weather and even a warm room.
·
Decrease vaginal discomfort. Use
over-the-counter, water-based vaginal lubricants or moisturizers. Staying
sexually active also helps by increasing blood flow to the vagina.
Decrease vaginal discomfort. Use
over-the-counter, water-based vaginal lubricants or moisturizers. Staying
sexually active also helps by increasing blood flow to the vagina.
·
Get enough sleep: Avoid caffeine, which can make
it hard to get to sleep, and avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can interrupt
sleep. Exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime.
Get enough sleep: Avoid caffeine, which can make
it hard to get to sleep, and avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can interrupt
sleep. Exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime.
·
Practice relaxation techniques: Techniques
such as deep breathing, massage and muscle relaxation can help relieve
menopausal symptoms.
Practice relaxation techniques: Techniques
such as deep breathing, massage and muscle relaxation can help relieve
menopausal symptoms.
·
Eat a balanced diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables and
whole grains. Limit saturated fats, oils and sugars.
Eat a balanced diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables and
whole grains. Limit saturated fats, oils and sugars.
·
Don’t smoke: Smoking increases the risk of
heart disease, stroke, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also
increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause.
Don’t smoke: Smoking increases the risk of
heart disease, stroke, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also
increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause.
·
Exercise regularly: Get
regular physical activity or exercise on most days to help protect against
heart disease, diabetes and other conditions associated with aging.
Exercise regularly: Get
regular physical activity or exercise on most days to help protect against
heart disease, diabetes and other conditions associated with aging.
