What is menopause?
Menopause is a time in life when you stop your monthly period. It’s a normal part of aging and marks the end of your childbearing and reproductive years.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. , People who have had their ovaries surgically removed experience “sudden” surgical menopause.
Why does menopause occur?
Natural menopause (menopause not caused by surgery or another medical condition) is a normal part of aging.
Menopause is defined as a full year without menstrual bleeding, in the absence of surgery or a medical condition that may cause the bleeding to stop artificially, such as hormonal birth control, an overactive thyroid, high prolactin, radiation, or surgical removal of the ovaries. As we age, the reproductive cycle begins to slow down and prepares to stop.
This cycle has been running uninterrupted since puberty.
As menopause approaches, your ovaries produce less of a hormone called estrogen.
When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle (period) begins to change. It may become irregular and then stop.
Physical changes can also occur as your body adjusts to different hormone levels. The symptoms you experience during each phase of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause) are part of your body’s adaptation to these changes.
Menopause is a time in life when you stop your monthly period. It’s a normal part of aging and marks the end of your childbearing and reproductive years. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. , People who have had their ovaries surgically removed experience “sudden” surgical menopause.
As menopause approaches, your ovaries produce less of a hormone called estrogen. When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle (period) begins to change. It may become irregular and then stop. Physical changes can also occur as your body adjusts to different hormone levels.
The symptoms you experience during each phase of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause) are part of your body’s adaptation to these changes.
How long does menopause last?
Menopause is a time when you have spent 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. The period before menopause can last eight to ten years (perimenopause).
The time after menopause (postmenopause) lasts until the end of life.
What hormonal changes occur during menopause?
The traditional changes we call “menopause” occur when the ovaries stop producing high levels of hormones. The ovaries are the reproductive glands that store eggs and release them into the fallopian tubes. they also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, as well as testosterone. Together, estrogen and progesterone control menstruation.
Estrogen also affects how your body uses calcium and maintains blood cholesterol levels. As menopause approaches, your ovaries stop releasing eggs into your fallopian tubes and you have your last menstrual cycle.
How does natural menopause occur?
Natural menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation that is not caused by any type of medical treatment. For people in natural menopause, the process is gradual and is broken down into three phases:
Perimenopause or “Transition to Menopause”: Perimenopause can begin eight to 10 years before menopause when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. It usually starts when you are 40 years old. Perimenopause lasts until menopause, the point at which the ovaries stop. release egg. During the last year or two of perimenopause, the decline in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many people may experience the symptoms of menopause.
But you will still have menstrual cycles during this time and may become pregnant.
Menopause: Menopause is the point where you stop menstruating. At this stage, your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and making the most of your estrogen. Menopause is diagnosed when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
Postmenopause: This is the term for the time after you haven’t had a period for a full year (the rest of your life after menopause). During this phase, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes can subside. for many people. However, some people continue to experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or more after transitioning into menopause.
As a result of lower estrogen levels, people in the postmenopausal period are at higher risk for various health conditions, including osteoporosis. and heart disease.
What is premature menopause?
Menopause, when it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is considered “natural” and is a normal part of aging. However, some people can experience premature menopause, either as a result of surgery. (e.g. removal of the ovaries) or damage to the ovaries (e.g. by chemotherapy or radiation). Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is called early menopause.
Menopause that occurs at age 40 or younger is called premature menopause.
When there is no medical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it is called primary ovarian failure.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
You may be entering menopause if you experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes are also known as vasomotor symptoms (a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads throughout the body).
- Night sweats and/or hot flashes.
- vaginal dryness; Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
- Urge to urinate (compulsive urge to urinate more often).
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings, mild depression).
- Dry skin, dry eyes, or dry mouth.
Individuals who are still in the transitional phase of menopause (perimenopause) may also experience:
- Breast tenderness.
- Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Irregular or skipped periods.
- Heavier or lighter periods than usual.
- Some people may also experience tachycardia.
- Headache. Pain in the joints and muscles.
- Changes in libido (sex drive).
- Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses (often temporary).
- weight gain. hair loss or hair loss levels.
Not everyone has all of these symptoms. However, affected individuals with new symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, urinary changes, headaches, or other new medical problems should ensure that there is no other cause for these symptoms.
What are hot flashes and how long will I have them?
Hot flashes are one of the most common vasomotor symptoms of menopause. It’s a brief flush of heat. Hot flashes are not the same for everyone and there is no single reason why they occur. In addition to heat, hot flashes can also occur with:
A flushed, red face.
Sweating.
A shivering feeling after the heat.
Hot flashes not only feel different for everyone, they can also last for different lengths of time.
Some people only have hot flashes for a short time. Weather.
The time during menopause. Others may experience some form of hot flash for the rest of their lives. Hot flashes usually subside over time.
The intensity, frequency and duration of hot flashes varies from person to person.
What triggers a hot flash?
There are some normal things in your daily life that can trigger a hot flash.
Some things to consider are:
- Caffeine.
- Smoking.
- spicy foods.
- Alcohol.
- Tight clothing.
- stress and anxiety.
- Hot weather.
Can Menopause Cause Facial Hair?
Yes, increased facial hair growth can be a change associated with menopause.
The hormonal change your body goes through during menopause can cause a number of physical changes to your body, including more facial hair than in the past. This is because testosterone is relatively higher than estrogen. If facial hair is becoming a problem for you, waxing or using other epilators may be option.
Menopause is a natural and normal part of the aging process. Once you’re menopausal, you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It’s common to experience symptoms like vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Be open with your doctor about the symptoms you are having and how they are affecting your quality of life. They can recommend treatments to control your symptoms and make you more comfortable.
Read also: Understanding Menopause: Treatment
