MENOPAUSE
Menopause: It is a condition when a woman stops having periods. Some changes are seen in the periods just before or after it stops, thus ending the reproductive time. It is declared after the continuous stop of period for over 12 months.
Cause of Menopause: The fertility eggs are stored in the ovaries of a woman. Ovaries produce hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control period and release of eggs. Menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer release an egg each month and in this way menstruation stops. It is a part of aging, generally happens after the age of 40. In some woman it is seen early for few reasons like damage to the ovaries, ovaries removed, genes, immune system disorders. Ovaries prematurely stop releasing eggs is called Premature Ovarian Failure. In the second condition when there is damage to ovaries or ovaries are removed for medical reasons, is called Induced Menopause.
Stages of Menopause: There are 3 stages of Menopause.
1. Perimenopause: It is the time or period before Menopause when ovaries make less estrogen and
gradually stops releasing eggs.
2. Menopause: This is when Menopause has stopped for 12 months, ovaries stopped releasing eggs
and making estrogen.
3. Postmenopause: This period is after Menopause. Hot flashes ease while health risk increase due
to loss of estrogen.
Symptoms of Menopause: These are the following symptoms- Hot flashes, warmth feeling in the
body, uneven or missed periods, depression insomnia, mood swings, head aches, changes in libido,
vaginal dryness.
Menopause Diagnosis: Woman comes to know about their Menopause by uneven or missed periods or symptoms as discussed above. There is the other method by consulting Doctor who advice for blood test of following:
1. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): It goes up as woman near Menopause.
2. Thyroid Hormones: Problems in the thyroid gland can affect period.
Treatments of Menopause: Menopause is a natural process. Symptoms related due to menopause often go away but if some remains then it could be treated as follows:
1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Medicines can be taken to replace hormones for the
symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal symptoms, but there is a risk of health problems like heart
disease or breast cancer.
2. Osteoporosis: Medicines could be taken with Vitamin D to help bones strong.
3. Life Style Changes: There are certain symptoms due to Menopause which can be cured by
giving some effort in our life styles like: drink cold water during hot flashes, use vaginal
moisturizer for dryness, exercise regularly to sleep better,prevent heart disease, diabetes,
and osteoporosis, stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
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