Women over a certain age go through menopause (climacteric). It can cause many changes in a female body, so in this article, we will consider the most common questions that may arise during such a period.
1. So, the first question that may arise is — what is menopause, and where does it come from?
Menopause is officially diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It appears as the result of a drop in estrogen and progesterone.
2. What will menopause symptoms look like?
Menopausal symptoms vary by individual, but about 75% of women experience hot flashes, which can occur both during the day and at night, muscle and joint pain, and mood swings.
But at the same time, all these symptoms may occur when changes in hormones happen or under stressful life circumstances, etc., and not because of the aging process itself.
3. What are hot flashes, and how to learn to distinguish them?
Hot flashes are the sudden feeling of intense warmth, usually around the face and upper body. Face and chest may also turn red, and you can perspire heavily. Some women also experience a rapid heartbeat. When it ends, you might feel chilled. The frequency of such hot flashes can disturb women several times a day for one or even several years.
Some things can increase the frequency of such hot flashes and worsen symptoms, so it is best to avoid them:
● consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food,
● feeling of stress,
● excessive heat,
● overweight,
● smoking.
Some of the following advice can help to reduce hot flashes and their symptoms:
❏ Wear several layers of clothing that you can easily take off what's on top, as needed
❏ At home or in the office, use an air conditioner or a fan.
❏ Practice deep breathing techniques during hot flashes.
❏ Consult a doctor who can prescribe hormone therapy or other medications if the hot flashes extensively bother you.
4. At what age does menopause occur?
The average age at which menopause can occur is 51 years. For most women, it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. For some women, the initial stage of ovarian dysfunction may begin before 45, while, for others — the menstrual cycle continues beyond 50. It is believed that the age of menopause is determined genetically, but some factors can hasten its onset, such as smoking or chemotherapy.
5. What’s the difference between menopause and perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the period just before menopause. The period of perimenopause means that the production of hormones by the ovaries begins to decrease, and a woman may already experience some symptoms, such as hot flashes. The menstrual cycle may become irregular.
6. How does menopause affect bone health?
Decreased estrogen production can reduce the amount of calcium in the bones. This can cause osteoporosis and increase the chance of fractures of the hip, spine, etc. Many women experience bone loss in the first few years after their last period.
For bone health:
● choose foods high in calcium, such as dairy products or dark greens,
● take vitamin D,
● exercise regularly,
● reduce your alcohol intake,
● avoid smoking
7. Is menopause associated with heart disease?
During menopause, a heart-related disease such as dizziness or palpitations may occur. Reduced estrogen levels can make it difficult for the body to keep arteries flexible. This may affect blood flow.
Watching your weight, eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising, and not smoking will greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.
8. Am I doomed to gain weight during menopause?
Changes in hormone levels can lead to weight gain. Focus on eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and practicing other healthy habits will help to control weight within normal ranges. Being overweight can increase the risks of heart disease, diabetes, etc.
9. Will the woman experience the same symptoms as her relatives?
Symptoms typically differ from one woman to the next, even if they are relatives. This means that a woman will have to manage menopause individually. What worked for others may not work for you.
10. How do I know if menopause has come if I had a hysterectomy?
If the uterus has been surgically removed due to a hysterectomy, a woman may not know she's going through menopause until she feels hot flashes.
If a woman has an endometrial ablation, but the ovaries were not removed — the situation may be the same. Endometrial ablation is the removal of the lining of the uterus to treat heavy periods.
If there are no symptoms, then a blood test to determine estrogen levels will help to determine the quality of the ovaries' functioning.
11. Is hormone replacement therapy a safe option?
Several FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved hormonal therapies to treat hot flashes and prevent bone loss exist. The benefits and risks depend on the severity of the hot flashes, bone loss, and the woman's overall health. The use of hormone replacement therapy is something that should be determined by you and your doctor.
12. Are there non-hormonal options for treating menopausal symptoms?
One of the methods of non-hormonal treatment is a healthy lifestyle, which includes:
● normalization of weight,
● exercise, sport
● decrease in room temperature,
● refusal of food, which exacerbates the symptoms,
● dressing several layers of light cotton clothing
As you see, menopause is a natural process of a woman's life cycle. When it becomes, there is no need to despair. Just be ready for some new rules in your life, realize what you are facing, and follow simple recommendations. And everything will be fine!
