Menopause marks the end of a woman's monthly menstrual periods. It is a time of natural change. Most women reach menopause by age 55. Rarely, it can happen before age 40. Most women go through some physical, mental, or emotional changes during this time.
Signs of nearing menopause may first occur when a woman reaches her mid-40's. One of the first signs is a change in menstrual flow including:
*Periods that come more of less often than usual.
*Periods that are lighter or heavier than normal.
*Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
*Hot flashes
*Night sweats
*Mood swings
As you approach your last period, your ovaries begin to run out of eggs. They also produce less estrogen during the months to years before menopause -perimenopause. This can lead to symptoms such as irregular periods and hot flashes. Pituitary hormones then increase in an attempt to boost your production of estrogen. Twelve months after your last period, you've reached menopause. Now you are entering postmenopause.
*Perimenopause begins as your menstual cycle and its flow starts to change.
*Your estrogen levels may decrease. This leads to irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles.
*Your periods may be closer together for a while. Then they may be further apart.
*Your periods may be heavier or lighter than usual.
*Perimenopause ends when you have gone one year without having a period.
Signs you may have: irregular periods, varying from longer cycles with heavy flows to shorter cycles with scanty flows; clotting; hot flashes; night sweats; insomnia; mood swings; breast tenderness; and bloating.
Menopause is the day that marks 12 months with no period.
Postmenopause begins one year after you have your last period. If you have had signs of change such as hot flashes and night sweats, they may now begin to subside. But over time you may have some long-term effects of estrogen loss. After menopause, the major health risks include osteoporosis (a decrease in bone strength due to calcium loss) and heart disease. You can do a lot to reduce your risks by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
You may enter this stage slowly, if your ovaries are in place. Change may be sudden if your ovaries have been removed.
Signs you may have: no menstruation, dry vagina, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and mood swings.
*Heart disease is the number one killer of older women.
*One out of every two women over age 50 suffers a fracture due to osteoporosis.
*Your risk is increased by estrogen loss, but the serious effects of both osteoporosis and heart disease may be prevented by taking estrogen.
A lack of estrogen allows calcium to be lost from bones. Bone mass declines. The risk of fractures is higher when bones are weakened. To reduce your risk, exercise regularly. Also don't drink heavily or smoke.
Estrogen loss may increase your risk of heart disease for many reasons. Estrogen benefits your heart by increasing good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol. Studies show that these altered cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart disease. Estrogen may also be good for the blood vessels and heart in other ways. To reduce your risk, exercise regularly and eat less fat and more fiber.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)
During an exam or checkup, your doctor may discuss hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
A medical history, physical exam, and sometimes tests can help your health care provider assess whether HRT would be good for you. But you must decide for youself whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Alternative treatments may be an option to help control your symptoms.
*Reduced risk of heart disease.
*Reduced bone loss
*Decreased hot flashes and perspiration
*Improved vaginal lubrication
*Fewer bladder problems, such as incontinence and infections
*Less insomnia
*Fewer mood swings
*Improved short-term memory
*Breast Tenderness
*Fluid retention
*Ongoing monthly periods or occasional spotting (However, taking HRT does not necessarily
mean your periods will return, nor will it restore your fertility.)
*In rare cases, HRT increases the risk of gallbladder disease.
*Studies are still being done, but estrogen may promote the growth of breast cancer. It also increases the risk of uterine cancer if taken without progestin (synthetic progesterone). Talk to your health care provider about HRT and the risk of cancer.
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Women's Healthcare Associates of Redding
2420 Sonoma St, Suite B, Redding, CA 96001 (530) 246-4455