Menopause: Causes, Signs and symptoms

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. The term "menopause" can describe any of the changes a woman goes through either just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of her reproductive period. The age you experience it can vary, but it typically occurs in your late 40s or early 50s.

What Causes Menopause?

A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Many women experience a variety of symptoms as a result of the hormonal changes associated with the transition to menopause. Around the time of menopause, women often lose bone density and their blood cholesterol levels may worsen, increasing their risk of heart disease.

Signs and symptoms women experience during this transition include:

·   Vaginal dryness

·   Irregular periods

·   Problem conceiving

·   Head aches

·   Chest pain

·   Urine disturbance

·   Aches and pains

·   Depression

·   irritability

·   Painful intercourse

·   Mood swings

·   Breast tenderness

·   Weight gain

·   Loss of interest in sex (although some women experience an increase in sexual desire)

·   Trouble sleeping

·   Night sweats

·   Hot flashes

Not all women get all of these symptoms.

Managing Menopause

Menopause is not a disease that has a definitive cure or treatment. Health care practitioners, however, can offer a variety of treatments for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that become bothersome. Many prescription medications exist to prevent and control high cholesterol and bone loss, which can occur at menopause. Some women do not need therapy, or they may choose not to take medications at all during their menopausal years.

Your doctor may prescribe a vaginal estrogen cream to help stop the thinning of vaginal tissues and improve lubrication.

Eat foods high in plant estrogens -- such as soy beans and soy milk. Some research suggests soy may ease symptoms such as hot flashes. Other research shows it may raise the risk of cancer in women who have a uterus. Nuts and seeds, fennel, celery, parsley, and flaxseed oil may also help.

Raise your calcium intake -- to 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day -- and do regular weight-bearing exercise to avoid osteoporosis and maintain general good health.

It is important to understand that there is little scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of these alternative treatments.

Final word

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle. It’s a time when your estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. Following menopause, your risk for certain conditions like osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease may increase.

To manage your symptoms, maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

Check in with your doctor during regular gynecological exams as you experience menopause.

Disclaimer:

The contents on this site are for informational purposes only. The Content is not meant to be an alternative for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ensure to seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health professional before starting any new program.

Sources:

Healthline.com

WebMd.com