Menopause, which is defined as the end of menstrual cycles and occurs 12 months after your last period, can occur in your 40s or 50s, but the average age of menopause in the United States is 51.
You can still be healthy, vital, and sexually active during menopause, despite the fact that it ends fertility. Some women find relief in the fact that they no longer have to worry about getting pregnant.
Even so, menopause’s physical and emotional side effects, such as hot flashes, can make it difficult to sleep, make you feel less energetic, or — in some women — cause anxiety or a sense of loss and sadness.
There are many effective treatments for symptoms that bother you, from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy, so don’t be reluctant to seek treatment.
Causes-Menopause can result from:
Natural decline of reproductive hormones.The hormones that control menstruation, estrogen and progesterone, are produced less by the ovaries as you get closer to your late 30s, which also causes a decline in fertility.
The length, weight, and frequency of your menstrual periods may change as you enter your 40s, and eventually, by the average age of 51, you stop having periods altogether.
Hysterectomy.Your ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone after a partial hysterectomy, which only removes your uterus.
Your periods stop right away, and you’re likely to experience hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms, which can be severe, as these hormonal changes happen suddenly rather than over a long period of time, if you have a total hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, which removes both your uterus and your ovaries.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.The cessation of menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent after chemotherapy, so birth control measures may still be preferred. These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms like hot flashes during or shortly after the course of treatment.
Primary ovarian insufficiency.Premature menopause, which affects about 1% of women, can be caused by autoimmune disease, genetic factors, or primary ovarian insufficiency, which is when your ovaries fail to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones. For these women, hormone therapy is typically advised at least until the natural age of menopause in order to protect the brain, heart, and bones.
Symptoms: The following signs and symptoms may appear in the months or years before menopause (perimenopause):
· Irregular periods
· Vaginal dryness
· Hot flashes
· Night sweats
· Sleep problems
· Mood changes
A slowing of the metabolism and weight gain
Dry skin and thinning hair
· Loss of breast fullness
The likelihood of you having an irregular period is higher than the possibility of menstruating every month up until your last period, which is possible but extremely uncommon.
In spite of irregular periods, pregnancy is still possible. If you’ve skipped a period but aren’t sure you’ve started the menopausal transition, you may want to check to see if you’re pregnant. Menstrual periods frequently occur every two to four months during perimenopause, especially one to two years before menopause. Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is still possible.
Complications–Your risk of developing a number of illnesses rises after menopause.
Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, so it’s important to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a normal weight. Ask your doctor for advice on how to protect your heart, such as how to lower your cholesterol or blood pressure if it’s too high. When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases.
Osteoporosis.Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. In the first few years following menopause, you may experience a rapid loss of bone density, increasing your risk of developing osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are particularly prone to fractures of their hips, wrists, and spine.
Urinary incontinence.You may have frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate, followed by an uncontrollable loss of urine (urge incontinence), or you may lose urine when you cough, laugh, or lift weights (stress incontinence), as the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose elasticity. You may also experience urinary tract infections more frequently.
Incontinence symptoms may be lessened by performing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and by applying a topical vaginal estrogen.
Sexual function.In addition to causing discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual activity, vaginal dryness from decreased moisture production and loss of elasticity can also lower your libido (sexual drive).
If a vaginal lubricant is insufficient, many women benefit from the use of local vaginal estrogen treatment, which is available as a vaginal cream, tablet, or ring. Choose products that don’t contain glycerin because those who are sensitive to this chemical may experience burning and irritation.
Weight gain.You might need to eat less and exercise more just to maintain your current weight because metabolism slows during the menopausal transition and after menopause, which causes many women to gain weight.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Effective homoeopathic remedies are available for the treatment of menopause and its accompanying complaints. Well-chosen homoeopathic medicines are effective for the hormonal changes in the body.
LACHESIS 200Lachesis is one of the best homoeopathic remedies for menopause. It causes severe headaches that start in the back of the head and move to the front, as well as hot flashes that are so intense they feel like coals have been placed on the body. It also causes the patient to be hypersensitive to touch, unable to tolerate clothing that is too tight around the neck or waist, and to be very talkative.
SEPIA 200She is tall, thin, and prone to depression. The sepia woman has an aversion to sex, irritability, and sensitivity, as well as an aversion to family, to those she loves most, sympathy, and company.
AMYLOSUM NITROSUM 3X-When a woman is in the menopausal stage and experiencing intense headaches, hot flashes, and palpitations that may be accompanied by facial flushing, she should consider using the herb amylosum nitrosum.
GRAPHITES 200-One of the best treatments for hormonal changes in women going through menopause is graphite, which works primarily to control obesity.
PLATINUM MET 200The platinum woman is weary of everything, everything seems changed or different, there is ovaritis with excessive bleeding, the ovaries are sensitive and burn, and there are mental issues associated with menopause. Platinum met is effective for these women.
PULSATILLA NIG. 30A woman with pulsatilla experiences hot perspiration in a close, warm environment and is unable to speak about her symptoms without crying. Pulsatilla is best suited to mild, timid, emotional, and tearful people.
SANGUINARIA CAN. 30-Sanguinaria can be used to treat menopause symptoms such as a severe burning sensation similar to that of hot water, burning in various body parts such as the face, palms, soles, stomach, etc., as well as severe headaches and menopausal complaints. The woman may also feel as though she is being borne down and have leucorrhoea that smells like fish or stale cheese.
SULPHUR 200When other well-chosen treatments fall short of providing a full recovery, sulphur should be administered as an adjunctive treatment. Patients with sulfur lose a great deal of weight, are extremely weak, have coarse, dirty-looking skin, and are generally untidy and dirty-looking.
OOPHORINUM 30– Oophorinum, a medication prescribed for menopausal acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions, is effective for the hormonal changes that occur during this time.
VALERIANA Q-Valaeriana works best for women who are going through menopause and are having trouble sleeping due to nocturnal itchiness, muscle spasms, and sleeplessness.
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