Information and facts on Menopause

 

Menopause which begins when a woman stops menstruation and her ovaries stop producing as much of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is used by the body for the following: bones, smooth skin, body heat regulation, artery health, and normal cell operations. The average age at which menopause occurs in woman is 50 years old and lasts for about 5 years. Symptoms may include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, breast tenderness, skin dryness, burning and pain in sexual intercourse, and sleeping problems. Reducing meat, dairy products, caffeine, and sugar eaten will help. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Drink at least 5-6 glasses of water a day. A good multi-vitamin mineral supplement and a female herbal supplement may also help.

Menopause, also referred to as the "change of life," is the point at which a woman stops ovulating and menstruation ceases, indicating the end of fertility. When a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries largely stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is normally thought of as a sex hormone related just to reproduction, but it also acts on many organs in the human body. Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and brain all contain estrogen receptors, and require this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function. Estrogen is needed to keep the skin smooth and moist, the body's internal thermostat operating properly, and the arteries unclogged, for example. It is also necessary for proper bone formation.

Although estrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, the hormone does not disappear entirely. Other organs take over from the ovaries and continue to produce some estrogen and other hormones. The organs known as endocrine glands secrete hormones to maintain proper bodily functions. The menopausal period is different for every woman. Some begin earlier and some later on, but the average age at menopause is about fifty. The transition normally lasts up to five years.

A woman who undergoes a hysterectomy but who keeps at least one of her ovaries stops menstruating after surgery, but she will still go through menopause. If the ovaries are removed during hysterectomy, menopause occurs suddenly, and symptoms may be more severe. Some women go through menopause with few or no noticeable symptoms. However, many women experience short-term or acute symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, depression, poor libido, bladder problems, vaginal dryness and itching, burning and discomfort during sexual intercourse, breast tenderness, dryness and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

All of these symptoms are due to estrogen and progesterone deficiency. Over the long term, the diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and vaginal atrophy. Osteoporosis is an especially major problem for women after menopause. An estimated 80% of the 250,000 hip fractures that occur in the USA each year are caused by osteoporosis. Note it is important to remember that menopause is not really a disease. But rather a natural process in the woman's life.

How a woman looks at this time of her life may affect both how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized, if not eliminated almost completely.

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.