Menopause is the perpetual discontinuation of menstruation and fertility in a woman aged between 45-47 years. It occurs when a woman does not menstruate for a period of at least one year without being pregnant. Menopause is derived from the greek word MENO (month) and PAUSES (discontinuation). It is a natural ageing and not a medical illness.
Menopause taking place after surgical removal of the ovaries or damage of ovaries by medical treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy is called induced menopause. The peri-menopause is the transitional period lasting up to 10 years from having normal menstrual period to no period at all.
Causes
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop responding to certain hormones from the brain and the eggs stop maturing regularly. There is a drop in the level of estrogen and progesterone. It is the fall of these hormones levels that causes the symptom of menopause. Menopause usually happens gradually. It is commonly divided into two stages as follows:
Peri-menopause
This is the time a woman begins to experience menopausal signs and symptoms even though she still menstruates. It lasts 4-5 years or longer.
Post-menopause
Once 12 months have passed after the last period, a woman has reached menopause. The following years are called post-menopausal years.
Symptoms
Although some women have no symptoms except for the ending of their periods, most women have some other symptoms such as the following:
Reduced fertility
Irregular periods
Mood swing
Loss of breast fullness
Vaginal dryness
Pain during intercourse
Hot flushes
Sleep disturbance
Dry skin and hair
Urinary symptoms such as urinary incontinence and increased frequency of urinary infection.
Health problems and complications
The reduced estrogen level that takes place during menopause can result in long term health defects such as the following:
Urinary incontinence
Weight gain: This increases risk of cardiovascular disease.
Osteoporosis:This means reduction in bone density leading to fractures.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Treatment
Menopause requires no treatment instead focus on relieving the signs and symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy: This involves using estrogen alone or the combination with progesterone to reduce risk of cancer.
Benefit of hormone replacement therapy
It provides relief from night sweats, hot flushes and vaginal dryness.
It reduces mood swing.
It maintains vaginal tone
It helps to reduce urinary incontinence.
Biphosphonate is used to treat osteoporosis.
Lifestyle and hormone remedies: This involves the following:
Avoidance of smoking
Eating a well balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains and avoiding sugar, oil and fats is necessary.
Regular medical check-up is important.
Exercise regularly
Optimize sleep.
Conclusion
Menopause is a normal ageing process in the life of a woman and not an illness but a woman should consult a doctor when symptoms start developing.
Menopause taking place after surgical removal of the ovaries or damage of ovaries by medical treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy is called induced menopause. The peri-menopause is the transitional period lasting up to 10 years from having normal menstrual period to no period at all.
Causes
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop responding to certain hormones from the brain and the eggs stop maturing regularly. There is a drop in the level of estrogen and progesterone. It is the fall of these hormones levels that causes the symptom of menopause. Menopause usually happens gradually. It is commonly divided into two stages as follows:
Peri-menopause
This is the time a woman begins to experience menopausal signs and symptoms even though she still menstruates. It lasts 4-5 years or longer.
Post-menopause
Once 12 months have passed after the last period, a woman has reached menopause. The following years are called post-menopausal years.
Symptoms
Although some women have no symptoms except for the ending of their periods, most women have some other symptoms such as the following:
Reduced fertility
Irregular periods
Mood swing
Loss of breast fullness
Vaginal dryness
Pain during intercourse
Hot flushes
Sleep disturbance
Dry skin and hair
Urinary symptoms such as urinary incontinence and increased frequency of urinary infection.
Health problems and complications
The reduced estrogen level that takes place during menopause can result in long term health defects such as the following:
Urinary incontinence
Weight gain: This increases risk of cardiovascular disease.
Osteoporosis:This means reduction in bone density leading to fractures.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Treatment
Menopause requires no treatment instead focus on relieving the signs and symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy: This involves using estrogen alone or the combination with progesterone to reduce risk of cancer.
Benefit of hormone replacement therapy
It provides relief from night sweats, hot flushes and vaginal dryness.
It reduces mood swing.
It maintains vaginal tone
It helps to reduce urinary incontinence.
Biphosphonate is used to treat osteoporosis.
Lifestyle and hormone remedies: This involves the following:
Avoidance of smoking
Eating a well balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains and avoiding sugar, oil and fats is necessary.
Regular medical check-up is important.
Exercise regularly
Optimize sleep.
Conclusion
Menopause is a normal ageing process in the life of a woman and not an illness but a woman should consult a doctor when symptoms start developing.
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