Menopause is a natural biological process. Symptoms such as hot flashes and emotional tension can cause poor sleep, lack of energy, or affect emotional health. So, how to understand that menopause has begun?
Diagnostics.
First of all, of course, consult a gynecologist. The usual symptoms of menopause are enough to determine the onset of the menopausal transition. Tests are usually not needed to diagnose menopause. But in certain circumstances, the doctor may recommend blood tests to check the level of:
- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol), because the level of FSH increases and the level of estradiol decreases with the onset of menopause,
- thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), as insufficient activity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause,
- you can also check the level of FSH in urine using a home test
Causes of menopause:
- Natural decline in reproductive hormones. As a woman approaches her 30s, her ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone (hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle), and fertility declines. Up to the age of 40, the duration of the menstrual cycle can be shortened or increased, it can be tolerated more or less easily, and the frequency of discharge may change. Eventually, the ovaries will stop producing eggs, and the woman will stop menstruating completely (on average 51 yo).
- Removal of the ovaries (ovariectomy). As mentioned above, the ovaries produce hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Therefore, surgery to remove the ovaries causes rapid menopause. Menstruation stops, and symptoms of menopause appear. Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms can be quite serious, as hormonal changes occur suddenly rather than gradually over several years.
- Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) does not usually cause menopause immediately. Although menstruation stops after that, the ovaries produce eggs and estrogen with progesterone.
- Chemo- or radiation therapy. These methods of treating tumors can also trigger the onset of menopause. Moreover, this can happen not only after the end of treatment but also during it. But this does not always happen, so if you do not plan to get pregnant, it is better to protect yourself. Radiation therapy affects ovarian function only if the radiation is directed specifically at the ovaries. Radiation therapy of other body areas (such as breast, head, and neck tissues) will not affect the onset of menopause.
- Primary ovarian failure. Approximately 1% of women experience menopause before the age of 40. Premature menopause can occur due to the inability of the ovaries to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones (primary ovarian failure). This may be due to genetic inheritance or an autoimmune disease. It is difficult to identify the cause of premature menopause. Usually, women with premature menopause are recommended hormone therapy until the natural age of menopause (to protect the brain, heart, and bones).
With any symptoms of menopause, do not delay a visit to the doctor.
