Menopause

Just as a woman's body undergoes hormonal changes at puberty, so also, as she ages, her body slowly starts reducing the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone that aid her ability to reproduce. Her periods become erratic, irregular and then stop completely. A woman who has not had a period for 12 consecutive months is said to have reached menopause after her last period, provided there are no other causes like illness or pregnancy for this change.

Menopause is the natural cessation of the female reproductive cycle and on an average, normally occurs between the age of 45 to 55 years. It is not a sudden event; it comes on gradually as the body undergoes changes. This time of change leading up to menopause is known as the perimenopausal stage and how long it lasts differs from individual to individual. For some women, menopause is indicated by the sudden stop in regular periods. Other women may experience symptoms that could point to their approaching menopause. The most common symptoms may include:

• Changes in the pattern of the menstrual cycle like shorter or longer periods, decreased or increased bleeding, spotting and/or shorter or longer gaps between periods.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Hot flushes – the experience of suddenly feeling hot, usually in the upper half of the body.
• Night sweats.
• Trouble sleeping through the night.
• Mood swings, tearful spells, increased irritability, reduced ability to focus, some loss of memory and/or feelings of being confused or mixed-up.
• Reduced libido.

Sometimes, due to problems like endometriosis or cancer, younger women may need to undergo hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the uterus and in some cases, one or both ovaries. If only the uterus is removed, the woman stops having periods immediately and reaches menopause a year or two earlier than she normally would have. However, if the ovaries are removed, the woman goes through immediate menopause (called surgical menopause) and may experience much more severe menopausal symptoms and would need the help of her health provider in dealing with them.

Menopause can affect women differently at the emotional level too. For some women, reaching menopause gives them a feeling of freedom and of being sexier. Others experience an increased sense of maturity and wisdom. And some others go through feelings of loss of the ability to create life.

So, how does one manage menopause?

Most women do not require any special treatment to deal with menopause. For some the symptoms simply disappear after a while (there’s no specifying exactly when, though). Others may need some help.

For those who have a tough time dealing with their menopausal symptoms, there are various treatments available including HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy). While most of these provide relief, opinion is divided on whether some of the treatments and their possible side-effects warrant their use. It is best to discuss one’s condition and concerns with a qualified health professional who will advise you on the best treatment options available and will help you make wise choices.

There are some general do's and don'ts that all women should follow after menopause in order to stay in good health. These include:

1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in fat and includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Have appropriate quantities of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals, either in your diet or as supplements.
2. If you smoke, quit.
3. Make sure you are physically active for general health and exercise regularly at least 3 times a week to maintain healthy bones. Your exercise could include brisk walking, jogging, dancing or a variety of other exercise methods.
4. Ensure you maintain the weight that is healthy for you. During menopause, the ovaries start shutting down their production of estrogen. (Estrogen helps prevent bone loss and aids in keeping the heart healthy). The adrenal glands and fat cells produce some quantities of estrogen to compensate for the reducing levels from the ovaries. So, while being overweight is not advisable, in the long run, being extra-slim isn’t the best option either.
5. Reduced estrogen levels can also possibly lead to osteoporosis and/or heart disease. Talk to your health provider and find out what tests you should take to prevent and/or treat potential heart or bone related problems.
6. Use a water-based vaginal lubricant or moisturizer to deal with the problem of vaginal dryness.
7. Stay positive. There’s a whole lot of living to be done post-menopause.