Menopause in a woman is the last natural menstruation in the life of the fair sex. They determine the date when it occurred, retrospectively, a year after the event, if there were no more secretions due to the functionality of the ovaries. On average, menopause comes in 45-50 years, although everything is strictly individual. With menopause, the concentration of sex hormones decreases, the function of procreation is lost. The concepts of menopause and menopause are closely related - the first is the initial stage of menopause. At the same time, menopause is not a point event, but a prolonged one, stretched in time.
Biology and man
Menopause in a woman can last a decade, as some researchers claim. It is impossible to assume how much time the hormonal restructuring of the body will take in each case - this process is too individual. To maintain a high quality of life, you should adhere to a diet developed by doctors, organize your daily routine, normalize your life rhythm. If necessary, you need to take special medications (strictly under the supervision of a doctor), as well as seek help from a psychologist. Special vitamins developed for this period of life will benefit, for example, Ladis Formula. Menopause in a woman is a period associated with temporary difficulties, but they are all overcome.
Many note that the most significant problems associated with menopause are psychological. Hormonal changes lead to a restructuring of the character. Often, menopause in women manifests itself:
- tendency to get annoyed;
- suspiciousness;
- sensitivity
- touchiness.
As psychologists say, this makes the problem not only personal, but affects the entire close circle - children and spouse, friends and colleagues. To facilitate the transition period in a woman’s life, those around her should be sympathetic to her condition, provide a friendly atmosphere at home, calm and coziness, peace.
Menopause in a woman is a completely natural process, the beginning of a new phase of life. You should not think that this is a disease that requires treatment, or simply incontinence of character, which must be suppressed by volitional efforts. All changes that occur during menopause are smoothed out by special methods, many approaches have been developed, but only a woman who understands that she needs help, as well as that supported by her relatives, can resort to them.
Despite stereotypes, menopause is not the end of an intimate life. On the contrary, this area is becoming more important for a woman than before. Doctors recommend that whenever possible, efforts be made to ensure that the symptoms of menopause in a woman do not cause a violation of friendships at work (with family difficulties, it is believed to be a little easier to understand). On the part of a woman experiencing menopause, it may suddenly seem unnecessarily caring. Those around should accept this and understand - this is one of the ways to adapt to new living conditions.
How to notice?
The first manifestations of menopause are quite diverse, individual. Much depends on the hormonal background, medical history, general health. The symptoms of menopause in a woman are determined by the specifics of the work of estrogen receptors located in different vital organs.
The first signs warning of the approach of menopause come in 30-40 years. These are not symptoms of menopause, but only slight hints of a new stage of life. So, you can suspect that hormonal changes are coming, according to the following features:
- violation of the cycle of menstruation;
- the difficulty of conceiving a child, bearing a fetus;
- endometriosis.
The first signs of menopause in women:
- tides;
- amenorrhea;
- excited state;
- increased dizziness.
And if in more detail?
The onset of menopause in women most often manifests itself as hot flashes - it is they who attract special attention. The duration of the condition is from a few seconds to difficult minutes, which, according to the sensations, seem endless. Hot flashes can occur at any time, without reference to the circadian rhythm. At the same time, the skin turns red, fever is felt, the sweat glands are activated. Some note that their fingertips are numb. Perhaps an increase in the rhythm of the heartbeat. In rare cases, this condition provokes fainting. The tide ends, usually with chills.
A woman during menopause may suffer vertigo. Doctors explain this by frequent pressure surges, which stimulates the appearance of local excited foci in the autonomic NS. Hormonal changes make your head spin. At the same time, the woman becomes more excitable. This manifests itself:
- night insomnia;
- a tendency to sleep during the day;
- concern;
- anxiety.
The listed phenomena are the most typical signs of menopause in women, found in most cases. Other manifestations are possible.
Emotions and hormones
The relationship of the hormonal background and the emotional state of women was noted in antiquity. It is well known that Greek doctors attributed emotions to the state of the uterus. Thus the word "hysteria" was formed - in Greek hystera means "womb". The fact is that a fairly common symptom of menopause in women is astheno-neurotic syndrome. This condition is described as follows: a woman is annoyed, inclined to be capricious, tearful, frightened, anxious, although she cannot explain the reason for such feelings. Usually the condition is accompanied by insomnia, hypersensitivity to smells, sounds.
There are also known cases when treatment for women with menopause was chosen on the basis of manifestations of depression: a depressed mental state can be so severe that thoughts arise of harming oneself. The particular difficulty of this case is the adjustment problem, since the response to therapy is usually weak, and in a certain percentage of cases it is completely absent. Depressive disorders characteristic of women during menopause are extremely severe, accompanied by atypical behavior, in many cases - defiant. It is easy to notice this from the side, paying attention to makeup, hair, clothes. To some extent, a woman, not always aware of the motives, resorts to these tools to prolong her youth.
Vegetative NS and menopause
Women at this time have hot flashes, but the severity and frequency of such phenomena varies significantly. Some people note tides very rarely, and they are tolerated quite easily, but for others, disorders become a cause for serious concern: tides come often, and it is extremely difficult to transfer them. Severe symptoms of menopause:
- feeling as if there is not enough air;
- active sweat glands;
- flushing of the skin;
- anxiety;
- nausea;
- weakness.
Many say that the heart, at high tide, seems to freeze. The situation is complicated by severe dizziness.
If during menopause in women frequent failures in the rhythm of the heartbeat, breathing quickens, it is reasonable to consult a doctor. At the same time, DHW (hyperventilation syndrome) is diagnosed. He feels a lump in his throat, lack of air, chest pressure, headaches similar to migraines. More often, hot flashes occur during a prolonged stay in a stuffy room, at high temperature and humidity.
DHW is due to a violation of calcium, magnesium metabolism. Metabolic problems lead to a decrease in the concentration of estrogen in the body, which is already low due to the transformation of the reproductive system. It is noted that DHW is associated with snoring, as during night rest this leads to prolonged respiratory arrest. You can notice DHW by symptoms:
- frequent awakening at night for no apparent reason;
- craving for sleep during the day;
- apnea;
- high blood pressure in the morning.
It's curious
Violation of calcium and magnesium metabolism can be corrected to some extent by vitamin complexes (for example, “Formula of a Woman”). Menopause, accompanied by such metabolic problems, is associated with considerable health risks, since trace elements and hormones are responsible not only for reproductive function, but also the regenerative qualities of brain neurons. The death of these cells can trigger Alzheimer's disease.
Taking specialized drugs designed for menopause, you can stimulate the efficiency of brain cells, provide the body with the necessary components to normalize blood flow. Estrogens and vitamins, minerals together stop inflammations, have antioxidant qualities, and help maintain a stable level of glucose in the circulatory system. Do not neglect such products, especially if the doctor recommended taking a specific set of vitamins.
Manifestations: what is possible?
It is possible to suspect the approach of menopause by the state of the genitourinary system: various diseases that manifest themselves with specific secretions are chasing. With menopause in women, mucous membranes from the vagina are possible, which do not have a pronounced odor. Such are considered physiological norm. But a substance with a pungent, strong odor containing blood inclusions is already an indicator of ill health. If such manifestations are worried, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause: it can be an infection, an inflammatory process or more serious problems - for example, benign, malignant neoplasms.
Menopause is accompanied by a deterioration in the state of the circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. Concerned by sudden surges in pressure, pain in the heart. Deficiency of sex hormones can provoke atrophic vaginitis, expressing itself:
- dry vaginal mucosa;
- lack of lubrication;
- lowering the walls;
- weak blood flow;
- burning sensation.
During and after menopause, women have an increased risk of atrophic cystourethritis. It is expressed by frequent urges to visit the toilet, pain in the process, burning and cutting in the lower abdomen. Desires provoke night awakenings. Atrophic processes can affect the ligaments of organs in this area, which means that the correct anatomy is violated, the organs are displaced, against which the uterus drops or even falls out.
In a woman after menopause, especially in the absence of maintenance therapy, the skin becomes dry, inelastic, pigmented, flabby. Doctors attribute this to malnutrition. Possible activation of hair loss. Some have marked increased hair growth on the face.
Postmenopause often claims osteoporosis. The disease is provoked by the failure of female sex hormones. The mechanism of its development is as follows: due to a lack of active components, bone tissues are not updated, which means that growth is reduced and the risk of fractures is increased. Often, fractures accompany the application of minimal load. The back, lower back hurts, the syndrome worsens with prolonged walking or standing. Joints respond with soreness. A stoop is possible.
When to expect?
Menopause is possible in women close to fifty years of age, although in practice there are many cases of deviations both up and down. The average moment of menopause is 48 years. It is at this age that the reproductive function of the body gradually disappears, while the organs responsible for procreation undergo irreversible changes. The concentration of sex hormones decreases, the uterus, ovaries change. Visually noticeable changes in the chest.
It is impossible to say exactly at what age a woman’s menopause has already come, and when not. It all depends on individual characteristics. It was not possible to identify relationships with the first sexual contact, the number of children, the number of successful conceptions or menarche.
There are many cases when the restructuring of the hormonal, reproductive system did not attract the attention of women at all, but others face serious troubles in everyday life. Unfortunately, it cannot be said that the causes of menopause in women are removable. If the menopause is worried by inconvenience, you can only take measures to alleviate the symptoms, but there is no way to cope with the reasons.
Doctors believe that to some extent, the onset of menopause is determined by a hereditary factor. Having found out at what age mom, grandmother faced perestroika, you can prepare in advance for a new stage in your life. True, no one can promise an exact coincidence of dates: deviations are possible in both directions. However, even approximate ideas about the timing of menopause can facilitate the transition period, prepare for it in advance.
Factors and Age
Observations showed that to some extent the onset of menopause is affected by:
- genetics;
- social conditions;
- medical history;
- psychological nuances.
Doctors assure that for several decades, menopause has shifted to the age of forty. Cases of transition into a new phase of life even before 40 years have become more frequent. Early menopause is more likely to occur in women:
- smokers;
- survived several abortions;
- not practicing regular sex life;
- alcohol abusers;
- obese
- neglecting the regime of the day;
- adhering to strict dietary programs;
- regularly faced with stressful situations.
Gynecological, oncological, autoimmune, endocrine diseases, past or currently experienced, can contribute.
How to warn?
Several methods have been developed for the removal of menopause in women. According to reviews, the best results are shown by basic preventive approaches: regularly visit doctors, take hormone tests, take medications prescribed by your doctor to correct the condition of the body. In addition to hormonal, the doctor usually advises general strengthening agents - they should not be neglected either.
Methods for preventing early menopause:
- balanced, rational nutrition program;
- physiotherapy;
- regular gymnastics.
If the age is approaching 48 years, to remove menopause, you can resort to folk methods - drinking infusions, decoctions of herbs, taking aromatic baths with essential oils.
Step by step
The first stage is premenopause. The duration of this period can be up to six years. As in the period of menopause, the discharge in premenopausal women is quite characteristic, due to the specific features of the hormonal system. Menstruation is still there, but the cycle is broken, frequent delays and a short cycle are characteristic. Gradually, the menstrual cycle completely ceases to be observed. During excretion, times from the time of blood are less and less, but profuse menstruation is extremely rare.
In premenopause, excessive production of estrogen is possible, leading to hyperestrogenia. Correction of this condition is prescribed according to the results of specific analyzes. The gynecologist first examines the patient, and sends for treatment if the following symptoms are identified:
- increased density of the walls of the uterus instead of thinning, reducing;
- breast enlargement;
- the appearance in the mammary glands of painful seals;
- increased production of cervical mucus;
- neoplasms, myomatous nodes;
- the duration, profusion of menstruation increases;
- dysfunctional bleeding.
Status Progress
The next stage is menopause itself. Menstrual flow is a thing of the past. Of all the steps of menopause, menopause is the least prolonged, soon replaced by postmenopause, when the ovaries lose the ability to produce hormones. On average, the amount of estrogen in the body is halved compared to reproductive age. The duration of early postmenopause varies from a year to twice as long. Symptoms
- pubic hair loss;
- lowering the tone of the walls of the vagina;
- flattening of the vaginal arches;
- uterus reduction;
- reduction in cervical mucus.
The structure of the breast changes: the glandular cells are replaced by fatty, fiber.
The listed manifestations are completely normal processes. As a rule, a woman does not face serious troubles. Postmenopause lasts until the end of life.
Too early!
If menopause in a woman begins at the age of 40 years and earlier, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, everything is explained by genetics: chromosome deficiency, ovarian dysfunction due to the chromosome factor, Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome, or other problems, disorders due to heredity.
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How to warn?
The cause of menopause ahead of time is gonadal dyskinesia. Ovaries, functioning in normal mode, provide the body with the necessary amount of active compounds, including hormonal ones. Unfortunately, there are currently no methods to guarantee 100% protection against early menopause: genetic factors in their bulk cannot be corrected. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe hormone therapy - the correct selection of drugs allows you to delay the menopause.
You can delay, weaken the manifestations of menopause by resorting to folk remedies. Decoctions, infusions of medicinal herbs, ginger rhizomes are prepared. In addition to benefits for the reproductive system, such products strengthen the body as a whole, stimulate the immune system.
It must be remembered that old age comes earlier if a woman has suffered or is suffering a serious illness. Often in such a situation, menopause can be delayed by the right choice of hormonal drugs, but they entrust the preparation of the drug program to the doctor, otherwise there is a high risk of harming yourself.
Menopause and pain
To some extent, pain is a defense mechanism. Separate sections direct impulses to the brain, drawing attention to problems, violation of integrity, incorrect functioning. With menopause, abdominal pain is quite often observed, since it is here that the organs of the genitourinary system are located. To understand what is the cause of the unpleasant syndrome, it is important to identify the source of sensations. All possible reasons are divided into two groups:
It is possible that with menopause, the pain is provoked not at all by natural processes, but by diseases:
- ulcers;
- inflammatory
- renal;
- gastric.
Pain can cause: colic, inflammation of the appendix, uterus, as well as poisoning. Sometimes abdominal pain gives off a heart attack, pneumonia.
If the sensations are provoked not by diseases, but only by hormonal changes, getting rid of them is quite easy. They are usually explained by spasms, the malfunctioning of certain types of cells that form mucus. This reason usually manifests itself in pain after intimate contact.
Headache
During menopause, more often women complain of pain in the temple, occiput, and crown. Unpleasant sensations can provoke weather changes, stress factors and other external sources. Doctors distinguish four groups of provocateurs:
- cramping
- pressure change;
- effect on nerve endings;
- vertebral diseases.
The specific reason is clarified by conducting lengthy observations of the patient, establishing the nature of the sensations and the exact localization.
Quite often, with menopause, headaches similar to migraines occur. Cluster pain is frequent during menopause, and its distinctive feature is severe discomfort. If cluster pains are observed, you should immediately consult a doctor - a symptom signals a serious illness. Diagnostics will require passing tests and conducting instrumental studies. But because of menopause, headaches most often occur due to a condition close to depression, vascular spasm, or pressure surges due to hormonal instability.
Menstruation and menopause
Menopause is a period when regular bleeding stops. If there is still discharge, but the cycle is broken, the woman is probably in a state of premenopause. Menopause is established one year after the last cycle. There are cases when breaks between secretions reached six months - this does not indicate menopause, but signals its approach.