Common Symptoms Of Menopause
Menopause is the transition from the reproductive stage to the non-reproductive stage of a women. By definition; menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation. A woman is considered to be postmenopausal 1 year after her last period.
It is crucial for you to understand that menopausal symptoms differ from women to women.
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The average age for menopause varies widely, but 90% of women cease menstruating by 55 years old. Certain factors like difference in diet and nutrition, general health and health care, etc all affect the way women experience menopause.
Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in women as they age, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and is defined as the time when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. This transition is accompanied by hormonal changes and can result in various physical and emotional symptoms. In this article, we will discuss the stages of menopause, the symptoms experienced during this time, possible complications, and management strategies for dealing with menopause.
Stages of Menopause
Menopause can be divided into three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the stage that precedes menopause and can last for several years. During this time, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen, leading to irregular menstrual cycles. Women may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and changes in sexual function. Fertility decreases during perimenopause, but it is still possible for a woman to become pregnant.
Menopause
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs, and the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases significantly. The symptoms experienced during perimenopause may persist or even intensify during menopause. Hot flashes and night sweats are common during this stage.
Post-menopause
Post-menopause refers to the years after menopause. During this time, the symptoms of menopause usually decrease, although some women may still experience occasional hot flashes. The risk of certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, increases during post-menopause due to the decreased estrogen levels
The general physical symptoms of most women approaching or experiencing menopause include:
Longer menstrual periods and heavier blood flows
Increase in the menstrual duration of more days. When this occurs, it could be one of the symptoms that she is approaching her menopause.
Some women may perceive that their menstrual flows are now heavier than usual. If this happens to you and you are sure that nothing else is wrong with you physically (Like uterine fibroids or genital malignancy), then know that you could have impending menopause, especially if the age is appropriate.
Spotting
Spotting is the situation whereby little drops of blood comes out during the time when you are supposed to be menstruating. When this occurs, it could be a sign of menopause. First, you have to exclude pregnancy by pregnancy tests. If not, and if it continues, then it could be a sign of menopause. Both spotting and excessive menstruation greater than eight days signifies cycle without ovulation.
Menstrual periods length abnormality
There is also the tendency that you will experience general menstrual periods irregularity when you are approaching menopause. In the beginning shorter cycles occur then longer menstrual cycles.
Lack of interest in sex is common symptom of menopause
Lack of interest in sex for most women in menopause occurs partly because there is now less fun when having sex. This is because of hormonal imbalances, the estrogen levels decline, thereby making the vaginal walls less elastic and thinner. This eventually leads to pain or discomfort during sex (dyspareunia).
The severity of menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and associated geriatric medical conditions like diabetes, dyslipidemia, renal failure or cardiovascular diseases had adverse effects on sexual function. Depression, Anxiety and lack of exercises and physical fitness also have negative impact on sexual interest.
Hot flash is a common symptom of menopause
Sudden reddening of the skin associated with sensation of warmth. It may be followed by profuse sweating. The skin temperature increases by 1-2 C°. These attacks usually last seconds to minutes or rarely may last as long as an hour. Hot flushes are more common in smoker higher weight women and women with lower income and education and poor nutrition. The hot flush typically starts at the chest area then spreads upwards to the facial skin.
Depression
Mood swings, depressed mood and concentration difficulties are associated psychological symptoms with menopause. Depression is precipitated by psychological factors as past history of depression and life stressors that seems to accumulate in the time of menopause.
Urogenital syndrome
Painful intercourse and urethral irritation. In addition, urinary tract infections (frequent micturation and painful micturation) and urinary incontinence may develop because of tissue thinning, laxity, decreased urethral apposition and alteration of the vaginal flora.
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Physical changes:
Menopause can result in physical changes such as weight gain, changes in body composition, and changes in skin elasticity.
Cognitive changes
Some women may report difficulties with memory and concentration during menopause. This is often referred to as “menopause brain fog.”
COMPLICATIONS OF MENOPAUSE
Menopause itself is a natural process and not a disease or disorder. However, the hormonal changes that occur during menopause can increase the risk of certain health conditions. Some of the complications associated with menopause include:
Osteoporosis: The loss of estrogen during menopause can lead to a decrease in bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. Diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is crucial for bone health as well as calcium and vitamin D levels in case of bony pains. Calcuim and vitamin D supplementation may be given to treat osteoporosis.
Heart disease: Estrogen plays a protective role in maintaining cardiovascular health. The decrease in estrogen levels during menopause can increase the risk of developing heart disease. Before menopause, men have higher risks of coronary heart diseases than women due to protective estrogen effect on the heart. After menopause, it is important to avoid and treat all risk factors for heart diseases.
Urinary incontinence: The loss of estrogen can weaken the tissues that support the urinary tract, leading to urinary incontinence.
Sexual dysfunction: The hormonal changes during menopause can affect a woman’s sexual desire and function, leading to sexual problems such as decreased libido and discomfort during intercourse.
Mood disorders: Women going through menopause may have an increased risk of developing mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
MANAGING MENOPAUSE
Although menopause is a normal part of a woman’s life, the symptoms experienced during this time can be bothersome and affect quality of life. Fortunately, there are several management strategies available to help women deal with the symptoms of menopause. These include:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT involves taking estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone to replace the hormones that are no longer produced by the ovaries. HRT can help alleviate many menopausal symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone. Women considering HRT should discuss the benefits and risks with their healthcare provider.
Lifestyle modifications: Certain lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of menopause. These include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.
Alternative therapies: Some women find relief from menopausal symptoms by using alternative therapies such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, or mindfulness techniques. It is important to discuss these options with a healthcare provider before starting any alternative therapy.
Support and education: Joining support groups or seeking counseling can provide women with the emotional support and knowledge needed to navigate through the challenges of menopause. It can also be helpful to educate oneself about menopause and its various aspects.
Conclusion
Menopause is a natural process that every woman goes through as she ages. While it can be accompanied by various physical and emotional symptoms, there are management strategies available to help alleviate these symptoms. It is important for women to seek healthcare provider guidance to determine the best course of action based on their individual circumstances. By understanding and managing menopause effectively, women can go through this life stage with greater ease and improved well-being.