Menopause

What is menopause?

Speaking from the heart, menopause is: The Change or The Change of Life. In fact, events in our lives are sometimes marked if it happened pre- or postmenopausal. And thats fine, but sometimes its presented in a negative connotation . . . and it shouldnt be. Its perfectly normal. Menopause happens to every woman. Menopause is a natural phenomenon. From a physiology viewpoint: Also known as climacteric, menopause is the cessation of the reproductivity stage that comes with advance aging in women. From a scientific viewpoint: menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer produce estrogen and the reproductive system slowly shuts down. Meno- comes from the Greek root which means month and pausis which means to pause or cease.

What should menopause be?

Menopause should be celebrated, not dreaded. Menopause should be anticipated, not expected. Menopause should be embraced, not feared. Menopause should be a blessing, not a curse. Menopause should represent life, not portray death. Menopause should be health, not a disease. Menopause should be a time of reflection, not a time of impulsion. Menopause should be a time of inspiration, not a time of discouragement.

What are the causes of menopause?

Menopause begins to happen due to aging. This is the most common trigger to menopause. Menopause can be surgically induced. This is generally done after a woman has a hysterectomy. This is known as surgical menopause. Chemotherapy and radiation therapies can induce menopause. Premature ovarian failure can also cause menopause, possibly from genetic predisposition or an autoimmune disease. Women smokers can experience menopausal cessation approximately one year sooner than nonsmoking women. Women who have had hysterectomies can experience menopausal cessation approximately more than three years earlier than women who have not had hysterectomies. Women who experience menopausal cessation before the age of 40 are considered to have premature menopause. Generally, the cause of this early cessation is idiopathic (unknown).

Whats the average age a woman experiences the onset of menopause?

Fifty-one years of age is the average age for menopausal onset. Its important to remember 51 is the mean age; that means there are just as many older women and just as many younger women who experience menopausal onset. Menopause can take decades to complete. Sometimes menopause is referred to as one event, but it is a series of events that can last 10-20 years.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause onset involves different systems of the body. 1. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, lack of concentration, memory loss, and mood disturbance. 2. Sexual symptoms include decreased fertility, decreased libido, difficulties reaching orgasm, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), irregular periods, and vaginal dryness. 3. Skeletal symptoms include back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, osteoporosis, and weight gain. 4. Skin and soft tissue symptoms include acne, breast atrophy, decreased elasticity, skin thininng, and wrinkles. 5. Urogenital (urinary and genital functions) atrophy (defective nerve damage that results in wasting away of the body, a part, or organ) symptoms include bleeding, dryness, itching, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency and watery discharge. 6. Vasomotor (blood vessels) atrophy (defective nerve damage that results in wasting away of the body, a part, or organ) symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. You should remember these symptoms are symptoms that have been recorded; they do not guarantee every woman will experience all of these symptoms. These symptoms are for informational purposes only; they do not guarantee your experience.

How can menopausal symptoms be treated?

There are several treatment options available for women to choose from. It is each womans duty and right to decide which treatment option or options will work for her. ? Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT). While some symptoms can be alleviated through hormonal replacement therapy, it comes with the threat of serious side effects that include coronary artery disease, endometrial cancer, heart disease, liver disease, pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, and venous thrombosis (intravascular coagulation). ? Conjugated equine estrogens are made from horses, so vegans or women tender to animals rights should be made aware of this fact. For women who take hormonal replacement therapy and conjugated equine estrogens, risks increase to include Alzheimers disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. ? Progestins threaten the same increased risks as the conjugated equine estrogens. ? Estrogen therapy is safe only for a short time. ? Antidepressants, while they seem to help with memory problems, come with general side effects that include abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, inability to enjoy orgasm, loss of libido, nausea, sedation, sleep disruption, urinary retention, and weight gain. ? Blood pressure medications are also used to ease menopausal symptoms. General side effects include abnormal taste (metallic or salty), coughs that can last for a month, dizziness, drowsiness, elevated blood potassium levels, headache, low blood pressure, rash, and weakness. ? Acupuncture seems to have some effect in relieving hot flashes. ? Natural ingredients, like black cohash and licorice, have been used to alleviate menopausal pains. ? Alternative medicines promise safe and effective formulas, and most are guaranteed to work. ? Lifestyle changes such as avoid spicy foods, eliminate alcohol and caffeine because it promotes hair thinning, drink cold beverages, remove extra layers of clothes as needed, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, maintain a log that describes your moods and symptoms to better understand this new phase in our life, learn all you can about menopause, purchase vaginal lubricants, schedule regular checkup appointments, stop smoking, and strengthen your pelvic floor with Kegel exercises. ? Dont believe the following myths: Its all down hill from here. Talking about menopause is taboo. If your cycle started early in life, menopause will start early. Its the beginning of the end. Menopause means depression. My sex life is over.

Whats the difference between perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause?

Perimenopause is the time in your life when you begin to experience the signs and symptoms of menopause even though you are still ovulating. Hormonal levels will fluctuate. You may experience hot flashes and notice irregularities in your periods (heavier or lighter). All these are all normal happenings and could last up to five years. Menopause is the time in your life when your menstruation cycle has ceased. Specifically, the menopausal phase of a womans life begins when she has hasnt had menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Postmenopause is the time in your life once you have gone 12 months from your last period. Your ovaries no longer release eggs and they produce less estrogen and progesterone.

What medical complications can result from menopause?

Cardiovascular disease risk increases as estrogen levels decrease. You can prevent this risk if you eat a healthy diet, participate in regular exercise, reduce hypertension, and stop smoking. Osteoporosis occurs because bone density occurs with menopause. Women become susceptible to fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. You can decrease this risk if you take adequate calcium and vitamin D daily. You should also exercise regularly and strength or weight train. Urinary incontinence happens as a result of menopause because the elasticity is lost in the vagina and uretha. You can prevent embarrassment if you dress appropriately. Something as little as a laugh, cough, or lifting can cause unwanted urination. Become aware of these triggers and try to avoid situations that could embarrass you. Weight gain, the apparent nemesis of all women, is a formidable opponent after menopause; however, you can prevent these unwanted pounds by cutting down on a few calories every day, and of course, exercise regularly. Now that you aware of the possible medical complications after menopause, you can lower your risks!

How can a woman live with menopausal symptoms?

You can make all the necessary lifestyle changes, but it involves more than that. Take a look of these simple steps that will help put menopause in its place. ? You need to develop the right attitude. The right attitude will help you adjust to your new life as much as the lifestyle suggestions shared earlier. Studies prove negative attitudes actually result in a negative experience with menopause. Though the reasoning is unclear, the findings are irrefutable. ? You need to laugh more. Laughter brings people closer together, it makes us feel better, it helps us cope with stress, and it actually provides medical advantages to our immune system. ? You need to make time for yourself. This isnt being selfish. This is giving yourself permission to take care of yourself so you can better tend to those loved ones who depend on you. Studies show just a mere 15 minutes a day will produce dramatic improvements. ? You need to communicate with other women going through menopause. You may actually be surprised how your story may help other women and how much their stories may help you. You can share with family or friends, join chat rooms or discussion boards, or join a local support group. ? You need to stay focused. You may feel as though you have every right to worry, but dont. Just concentrate on the moment. Dont borrow trouble thinking about tomorrows aches and pains. ? You need to remember theres no need for you to go through menopause by yourself. Surround yourself with and depend on your family, friends, caring coworkers, and church family. There are people who love you and want only the best for you. Dont cut yourself off from these relationships. Cultivate them. You will live through menopause and will live to tell your story without negativity or regrets.

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