MENOPAUSE
Absence of menstrual periods for 12 months.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life
when the function of the ovaries ceases.
It is a natural gradual process that starts with a perimenopause transition period which can last several years; the ovaries gradually make less estrogen until it stop releasing eggs.
Perimenopause is different for each woman.
FACTS
• The average age of menopause is 51 years old, but menopause may occur as early as the 30s or as late as the 60s.
• The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is not related to the age of menopause onset.
• Although menopause ends fertility; women stay healthy, vital and sexual.
• Women tend to undergo menopause at an age similar to that of their mothers.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of menopause may begin years before the actual menopause occurs and may persist for
some years afterward as well.
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Tiredness
• Hot flashes
• Low energy
• Night sweats
• Mood changes
• Irregular periods
• Slowed metabolism
• Loss of breast fullness
• Bladder control problems
• Thinning hair and dry skin
COMPLICATIONS
After menopause and due to the loss of estrogen, many women tend to face serious health problems
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease
• Water retention
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Weakening in vision
• Poor muscle power and tone
• Greater risk of Alzheimer's disease
• Poor skin elasticity (increased wrinkling)
MENOPAUSE AND SEX
Menopause doesn’t lower sex drive in women but the intercourse can turn to be painful and uncomfortable due to vaginal dryness. This problem which is caused by a drop in blood supply to the vagina can be treated with water-soluble lubricants such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly.
WEIGHT GAIN
• After menopause about 30% of women ages 50 to 59 tend to be overweight and sometimes obese.
• Bigger waistline is one of the most common effects.
• Estrogen levels drop after menopause reducing the metabolic rate and reducing the body’s ability to use starches and blood sugar correctly, thus increasing fat storage.
• Even women who exercise are subject to weight gain since the rate at which they can use up energy during exercise declines. Increasing the time and intensity of physical activity might help.
TREATMENTS
Menopause is not a disease and requires no medical treatment. However, treatments focus on relieving signs and controlling symptoms.
Non-prescription treatments
• Hot flashes: Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.
• Heart disease: A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet helps reduces risks.
• Weight gain: Regular exercise is helpful in controlling weight.
• Osteoporosis: Calcium intake and weight-bearing exercise are important.
• Hormonal imbalance: Estroven is a dietary supplement that is both drug-free and estrogen-free. It helps reduce menopause symptoms.
Medications
• Hormone therapy: Estrogens or a combination of estrogens and progesterone (progestin).
• Vaginal estrogen: Relieves vaginal dryness.
• Low-dose antidepressants: Help regulate mood disorders and decrease hot flashes.
• Gabapentin (Neurontin): Treats seizures and migraines.
• Medications to prevent osteoporosis and reduce risk of fractures.
SIDE EFFECTS
Long-term studies of women receiving combined HT with estrogen and progesterone showed an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer when compared with women who did not receive HT.
Estrogen therapy alone is associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus).
Sources: Mayo Clinic, WebMed, eMedicineHealth.
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