Introduction to Menopause

Being a woman, not only wisdom will come with age, but also the much talked-about condition called “menopause.” The term “menopause” is commonly used to describe the various changes a woman experiences at the end of her reproduction period, either just before or after she stops menstruating. It is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for at least 12 months.

Menopause is part of a woman's natural aging process, and occurs whenever her ovaries produce lower levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As a result she will no longer be able to become pregnant. Unlike a woman’s first menstruation, which starts suddenly, the changes leading up to menopause will happen over several years. That is if the shutting down process of the ovaries occurs naturally and the woman does not need a complete hysterectomy. In that case, the onset of menopause will appear instantly. "Induced", "sudden" or "surgical" menopause happens when a woman starts menopause prematurely. This may be caused by: the removal of ovaries through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or ovarian malfunction.

The average age for menopause is 51, but can occur as early as the 30s or as late as the 60s. Menopause is not a disease, but rather a compilation of symptoms manifesting that the fertile time of a female is coming near an end. Symptoms may include:

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Mood swings - irritability
• Depression
• Memory problems
• Increased abdominal fat
• Thinning hair
• Loss of breast fullness
• Headaches
• Decreased sex drive

Complications of menopause can lead to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and if they occur have to be treated according to severity.

Each woman will respond differently to menopause and seldom all symptoms will show up in one person. Some women may have severe bouts of hot flashes, yet may never experience signs of depression or memory loss, while their lady friends may be irritable and quite emotional, but never feel sudden, intense, hot sensations on their face and upper body.

The signs and symptoms of menopause often indicate that a woman has begun going through the transition. If there is a concern in regards to irregular periods or hot flashes the doctor may recommend an evaluation, and check the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol) through a blood test. During menopause FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease. In some cases the physician may also order another test to determine thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, because hypothyroidism can cause symptoms resembling those of menopause.

Women do not have to suffer from menopause. There are several symptom relief options, which can consist of:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Low-dose antidepressants
• Other medical therapies, depending on which symptom need to be treated
• Alternative therapies, including diets
• Botanicals (natural supplements extracted from plants such as primrose, flax seed, etc.)
• Non-hormone therapies
• Exercise
• Reducing life stressors

Menopause is no short-term affair. For most women, going through all the uncomfortable stages of menopause can last anywhere between four to ten years; in some exceptional cases the symptoms can last even longer. Outside of treatment, regular physical check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle are highly recommended, as they can make this time in a woman’s life a lot more comfortable.

About the Author
Living in the US, Irida Sangemino is an international copywriter/journalist/editor with multiple interests, including health issues.