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MENOPAUSE-SIGNS,SYMPTOMS,AND TREATMENT OF MENOPAUSE, EARLY MENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE RELIEF

Meno (menstruation) pause (stops) is, technically, the last menstrual flow of a woman's life.Menopause means the cessation of the double function of ovulation and menstruation. The menopause occurs because the production by ovaries of estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones is greatly decreased, relatively suddenly. The ovaries do continue to produce low levels of androgens; hormones maintain muscle strength and sexuality. The decrease in estrogen is responsible for the four menopausal changes of most concern: cessation of menstrual periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis. It occurs at or about the age of forty-five, though in some instances it may take place at an early date, or on the other hand it may be postponed to a much later period. It is called a critical stage of life, because while this change is in progress there is more or less dis­turbance of general health. It is a period of men­tal and physical rebirth for a woman. In quite a few cases the change takes place gradually. The woman passes through it before she is even aware of her altered condition, and she comes to realize that her menses have ceased, and with them many of the frailties incidental to menstruation have likewise disappeared. However, the less for­tunate are afflicted with flushes of heat, nervous­ness, debility, piles, itching of the private parts, and other unpleasant symptoms which torment the patient for years. The unusual development of hair on the chin and upper lip generally co­incide with the final cessation of the menses. Many women think that menopause means emotional upset and the loss of sexuality. On the other hand, many women look forward to the freedom that menopause brings, particularly freedom from menstrual cycle discomfort and the need for birth control. Understanding what is happening to you and using home care techniques to relieve any dis­comfort will help you through menopause.

Symptoms of Menopause

It does not occur all at once and may embrace a period of several months or extend over a year or two or more. During the whole of this period as the change of life approaches, the menstruation cycle becomes more or less irregular in the time of its recurrence and the quantity discharged. Menses may be very scant or very profuse, amounting to a real haemorrhage. Sometimes the flow comes on when least expected, contin­ues for a short time and then stops suddenly, without being followed by the ordinary symp­toms which occur from the suppression of the menses. There is no absolute rule regarding the circumstances and conditions of the menopause or change of life. Some of the common symptoms are as follows:

HOT FLASHES:

Hot flashes are sudden feeling of intense heat usually lasting for 2 to 3 minutes. These are most likely to occur in the evening but may happen at any time of the day. They may be aggravated by caffeine or alcohol, and some doctors believe they are lessened by exercise. Hot flashes usually stop within one or two years but may persist for several years.

MOOD CHANGES

Unexpected mood changes are also experienced by many women. It is logical to assume that these changes are related to hormone production. Mood changes are mainly caused by hormonal and physical changes of menopause. Symptoms such as nervousness, lack of energy, insomnia, moodiness or depression are common. Mood changes can be like, a feeling of wakefulness in the middle of the night.

IRREGULAR PERIODS

It means that menstrual periods become lighter and irregular before they stop altogether; the interval between periods are shorter or longer; or that there is spotting between periods until periods stop suddenly. Some may have irregular periods for a long time until menopause.

VAGINAL DRYNESS

It is the loss of lubrication and moisture in the vagina, that may lead to soreness during and after sexual intercourse. The vaginal changes may also increase the risk of vaginal infections and urinary incontinence.

Early menopause

Each woman's transition into menopause is different. Some women have mild, early menopause symptoms Other women find the quality of their lives significantly affected by changes in mood, memory, and productivity, and by uncomfortable physical symptoms.

Early menopause ). Premature menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF) refers to menopause i.e. total cessation of your periods for 12 months before the age of 40. 

Early menopause and/or premature menopause are terms that are often used interchangeably. It may occur spontaneously as a result of
early failure of the ovaries, or
be caused surgically when a woman has her ovaries removed, or
caused chemically by chemotherapy for cancer.
About 1-3% of women will experience menopause before the age 40 years

Causes of early menopause

• the ovaries are physically damaged by infections, such as the mumps, or by cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
• The ovaries were surgically removed because of cancer or other causes. Surgical menopause is when the ovaries are removed prior to natural menopause, (also known as oophorectomy).
• The stressful, demanding lifestyle, coinciding with inadequate support given to the body, contributes to experiencing many of the early menopause symptoms
• some women who have a hysterectomy may experience menopausal symptoms at a younger age.
• In other cases, the woman's ovaries spontaneously stop producing eggs and the underlying cause may not be found.

Home Treatment of Menopause

Irregular periods

Keep a written record of your periods in case you need to discuss them with a health professional.

Hot flashes

Hot flashes usually improve after 1 to 2 years. In the meantime:

Keep your home and workplace cool.

Wear layers of loose clothing that can be easily removed.

Drink lots of water and juices.

Drink cold beverages rather than hot ones.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid the heat generated by digest­ing large amounts of food.

Vaginal dryness

Use a water-soluble vaginal lubricants, such as Astroglide or Replens, to ease discomfort during sexual intercourse. Vegetable oil will also work. Do not use Vaseline or petroleum-based products.

Mood changes

The best thing you can do for, ­ self is realize that you are not alone. Discuss your symptoms with other women. Give yourself, and others for, abundant amount of love, caring, and understanding. Try to develop a relaxed attitude about menopause. Tension and anxiety may make your symptoms worse.

Hormone therapy may improve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. If these symptoms are very bothersome, talk to your doctor about hormone therapy.

Diagnosis of menopause

The diagnosis of menopause is pretty obvious if a woman is in her late 40s or early 50s, her periods stop, and she has hot flashes. The diagnosis can be more difficult in young women, women with atypical symptoms, or women who have had a hysterectomy. Because thermal abnormalities that could be construed as hot flashes are a symptom of some diseases (thyroid problems and some cancers), the presence or absence of these conditions should be sought. There is a simple blood test which measures circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. As the ovaries lose the ability to produce estrogen, the pituitary gland increases production of other hormones (called "gonadotropin") to stimulate the ovary to do better. One stimulating hormone is FSH. It is generally accepted that a woman has reached menopause when her FSH blood level rises above 30 to 40 MIU/ml (depending on the testing laboratory). Estrogen (as estradiol or estrone) is also sometimes measured, but obtaining a reliable diagnosis of menopause may be difficult by measuring estrogen alone

When to Call a Health Professional

If bleeding occurs between periods when your periods have been regular.

If bleeding recurs after periods have stopped for 6 months.

If the symptoms are interfering with your home life and personal life.

If you have unexplained bleeding while taking hormones.

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