Menopause
What is menopause?
Menopause is that period of life in which women cease menstrual periods. Menopause is a natural part of the aging process in women. At this stage the ovaries do not produce eggs (ova) and female hormones such as estrogen or progesterone and the pregnancy is impossible.
At what age does a woman typically reach menopause?
The average age of menopause is 51 years old. However, it can vary from 30 to 60 years old. Menopause in a woman is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for a year.
What is "perimenopause"?
The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process. Menopause is preceded by a phase of several months or several years called perimenopause. 'Perimenopause' represents the period of a woman's life shortly before the occurrence of the first symptoms of menopause. But in most cases symptoms of perimenopause and menopause in particular are often confused.
Which are the symptoms of menopause?
Menopause is a normal part of a woman's life and it should not be regarded as a disease or a problem. However, some women find it difficult to experience and become familiar with the symptoms caused by the absence of hormones.
It should be noted that women experience menopause differently. Some may not have any signs or symptoms, while others have more serious symptoms.
The main signs are: irregular menstrual periods (too close or too far), and irregular episodes of vaginal bleeding (less than usual or more). until the bleeding stops completely. Other signs may include:
- Insomnia
- Increase in weight
- Nocturnal sweating
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Pain in the joints
- Drying of the vagina
- Problems with memory
- Urinary infections
- Changes in mood
- Skin pruritus
- Depression
In most cases these signs disappear after the first year of menopause.
The major problems of menopause
The most serious problems that a woman may experience during menopause are those associated with osteoporosis and heart.
Osteoporosis
Every day the human body "destroys" the old bone tissues replacing with new bone tissues. Estrogens have a principal role in this regeneration. Menopause is characterized by a lack of estrogens and therefore the regeneration of bone does not occur. For this reason the bones often become more porous and easily fractured. The most common fractures that osteoporosis causes in women at menopause are of the femoral neck fractures and the vertebral fractures. This condition is called osteoporosis. Thus, women who are over 45 years old should carry out a specific bone density test (bone densitometry).
Cardiac diseases
In menopause, women are more predisposed to be affected by heart disease. Loss of estrogen plays a role for heart disease. Problems can also get worse with the addition of other factors such as obesity, diabetes or hypertension. All these changes increase the risk for heart disease. Thus women in this period of life should be regularly checked by a doctor to have a balanced diet, to maintain control blood glucose, blood fats and to consistently perform physical exercises. In this way the risk for heart disease will be reduced.
Are the symptoms of menopause experienced in the same way?
Women experience menopause in different ways. Their experiences are related to genetic factors, diet, lifestyle and socio-cultural attitudes towards women in the areas where they live.
- Women in rural areas and those who have born many children complain less about the symptoms of menopause.
- Women who have a sedentary life with a diet rich in carbohydrates and fats and those who have born fewer children usually complain more about the symptoms of menopause.
What is premature Menopause?
Premature or early menopause occurs when a woman goes into menopause earlier than the expected age. This could happen immediately or gradually in the following situations:
Early menopause immediate:
- The operations associated with the removal of the ovaries
- Chemotherapy for treating cancer
- Radiation therapy for treating cancer
Early menopause gradual:
- Ovaries cease their function long before. Some women experience too early stopping of menstruation (before age 40).
In all these situations ovaries are removed or failed to produce hormones. Women who enter menopause immediately and prematurely experience more symptoms of menopause and therefore they need hormone replacement therapy.
How should prepare women for menopause?
Menopause is an important stage in the woman’s life. For some may be a difficult period rich with physical and emotional problems. For others it is a renaissance period. So, many women experience an increase in physical activity in menopause, which is also called the zeal of menopause.
Some of the recommended precautions are as follows:
- Do not smoke.
- Have a healthy diet, low-fat, with lots of fiber, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and rich in minerals and vitamins.
- Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D - through diet or through medications that the doctor may prescribe.
- Maintaining a normal body weight
- Continuous physical activity.
- Consumption of much liquids.
- Consumption of cold drinks when you have hot flashes.
- Use loose clothing so that the skin can breath normally.
- Use vaginal lubricants or vaginal creams / ovules containing estrogens.
- Routine checks including: pap test, gynecological ultrasound, mammography and mammary ultrasound.
