Menopause

Every woman goes through several changes in her body functions, which marks different stages in her life. With puberty, starts the menstrual cycle, where certain hormones control the monthly release of the egg and preparation for pregnancy. The termination of menstruation and fertility of women is known as menopause, and occurs 12 months after your last menstrual period, when you are in your forties or fifties. Some women can experience menopause before their forties, and the condition is known as premature menopause.

Symptoms

Menopause can be characterized by physical and emotional changes. Approaching the time of your menopause (perimenopause), you may experience irregular menses, dryness of the vagina, sagging of the breasts, dry skin, thinning hair, slow metabolism, weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, problems with sleeping, and mood changes.

Causes

Menopause is a natural process that takes place in every woman as she reaches her early forties or fifties. The production of the hormones by your ovaries to regulate your menstrual cycle, namely estrogen and progesterone, start to decrease. Eventually, your ovaries will stop producing eggs. This will make you experience changes in your menstrual pattern and bring an end to your periods.

There are some factors that can induce menopause. These include the following:

• Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy (treatment with chemical agents) and radiotherapy (treatment by exposure to radiation) can cause menopause symptoms, and a temporary or permanent stop to your menstruation.
• Failure of ovaries: Autoimmune diseases or genetic factors can cause your ovaries to produce less than normal amounts of reproductive hormones. This is known as primary ovarian insufficiency and can lead to premature menopause.
• Surgeries: Surgeries such as total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy that involve the removal of your uterus and both ovaries will immediately stop menstruation.

Complications

Some of the possible complications associated with menopause include the following:

• Your risk for heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases increases with the decrease in estrogen production.
• Your bone density may decrease, making them brittle and leading to a condition known as osteoporosis. This can make you more prone to fractures.
• Your vaginal and urethral tissues will begin to lose their elasticity, and you may experience the sudden urge to urinate, or may lose control over your bladder (urge incontinence or stress incontinence). You may also become more prone to urinary tract infections.
• The loss of moisture and elasticity of your vagina can cause discomfort during intercourse and can affect your sexual desire (libido).
• As the rate of your metabolism slows down, you may start gaining weight.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can identify your transition to menopause with your signs and symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order blood tests to check your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol), as a decrease in the level of these hormones can project menopause.

Treatment

Menopause itself needs no treatment, but treatment may be required to control its signs and symptoms. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits and may recommend any of the following depending on your condition.

• Hormone replacement therapy: Your doctor may recommend treatment with hormones including estrogen and/or progestin for your hot flashes and bone loss. It may also help prevent cardiovascular problems if started within five years of menopause.
• Vaginal estrogen: Small doses of estrogen in the form of cream, pills, or rings can help you manage vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms and discomfort during intercourse.
• Antidepressants: Low-dose antidepressants can help you manage hot flashes when hormone replacement therapy is not advisable for you and will also help improve your mood.
• Medication treatment: You may also be prescribed medications to reduce your bone loss and risk for fractures.

Lifestyle Remedies

Some of these lifestyle remedies can also help you reduce or prevent the symptoms of menopause.

• Cool off hot flashes by drinking cold water or staying in a cool room. Identify factors that trigger your hot flashes, like hot beverages, alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods, and try to avoid them.
• Use water-based vaginal lubricants to help you with vaginal dryness and discomfort.
• Reduce stress, get adequate sleep, eat healthy, stay active and don't smoke.
• Exercise regularly. Certain exercises called Kegel exercises can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and improve urinary incontinence.