WHY MOST WOMEN WORRY ABOUT MENOPAUSE

Admit it or not, it signals aging, wrinkles, hair changes, nervousness, anxiety, irregular hearts beating, head ache, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, joint pain, depression, mood changes, sleeping issues and metabolism changes. Enough reasons for females to be nervous as they are near or far approaching the age of 52. The good news is that even though nothing can be done about the occurrence of menopause but a lot can be done to reduce or stop some of the symptoms of menopause.

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

The term menopause and climacteric can be used interchangeably. Menopause is the final end of menstrual period. No more monthly flow and monthly circle. While climacteric marks the transition from reproductive to the non reproductive state, the menopause being a specific event within that phase. ¹

WHAT CAUSES MENOPAUSE?

Menopause occurs as a result of loss of ovarian follicular activity leading to a fall in oestradiol levels below the level needed for endometrial stimulation. Strictly speaking, it can only be said to have occurred after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhoea (absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age²) While menopause can sometimes be a sudden event, for most women there is a gradual change in menstrual pattern in the years preceding the menopause as ovarian activity fluctuates, which may be accompanied by troublesome symptoms; this is often called the ‘perimenopause’^3,

WHAT TO DO WITH MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS?

• Daily exercise is the best therapy. Exercises reduce to the minimal most of the sign of perimenopause and menopause. It is good if exercise is incorporated into a life style before menopause begins.
• A healthy diet; one that is free from excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, caffeine and food spicy.
• Vaginal should be moisturised on or before sex.
• Medication: Hormone replacement therapy. This can help if it is taken in small quantity and during perimenopausal period. The risks associated with HRT usage after menopause outweighed its benefits.

REFERENCES

^1&3 Gynaecology by Ten Teachers Nineteenth Edition

²     Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenorrhoea