In almost every second woman, the period of menopause is accompanied by menopause. At this stage, the size of the female genital organs decreases, menstruation disappears, and the reproductive function fades. These age-related changes cause a number of other symptoms of a somatic, neuro-vegetative and psychoneurotic nature. In some cases, the manifestations significantly worsen the quality of life of a woman. In this case, a course of therapy is required.
The essence of menopausal syndrome
The complex of manifestations arises as a result of a decrease in the level of female sex hormones caused by age-related changes. This is a complicated natural state, more precisely - one of the stages of a woman's life. The duration of menopause in the active manifestation can be from one and a half to ten years. As a rule, all the symptoms are felt by a woman about two to five years. The severity and duration of menopause syndrome depend on the individual characteristics of the body and the state of health of the woman.
Menopause, that is, the cessation of menstruation, overtakes absolutely all women. But menopausal syndrome is far from everyone. It is more likely that representatives of the fair sex will encounter it, whose mothers were also experiencing severe wilting, women with hereditary diseases, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. The presence and nature of the course of the syndrome is affected by the presence of certain gynecological diseases, psychoemotional factors. Often the onset of active manifestations of menopause provokes severe stress. Seasonal and undulating climacteric syndrome in women is also noted - the peak of its manifestations occurs in the off-season.
Age of onset of menopause in women
The etiology of menopause syndrome consists in a gradual decrease in reproductive functions and irreversible regression of the genitals, a decrease in the amount of estrogen. The onset of menopause has no connection with the age of the first menstruation, first sex, the number of pregnancies, children, sexual partners. The doctors cannot clearly name the exact age of the onset of menopause symptoms, it is individual, but usually this period begins at 45-50 years.
Some women almost do not notice the age-related changes in the body, others experience this process very difficult and painful. The age at which the extinction of the reproductive function of the female body will occur is very dependent on hereditary factors. If a woman wants to know the approximate age of the onset of menopause symptoms, you should ask your own mother about this. Perhaps this will to some extent facilitate the psychological moment of the transition to a new phase of life.
Recently, there has been a tendency that menopause menopause occurs at 40 years old and earlier. We will talk about premature menopausal syndrome in more detail in the corresponding section. Now it’s worth saying that women are at risk:
- who have no regular sex life;
- alcohol abusers;
- bad habits, such as smoking;
- having extra pounds;
- gone through many abortions during their lifetime;
- living in a state of constant stress;
- suffering from cancer;
- previous or currently suffering from gynecological pathologies;
- fond of fasting;
- not observing the regime of work and rest;
- having diseases of the endocrine system;
- suffering from autoimmune diseases.
To “push” the menopause to a normal physiological time, modern medicine offers medical correction, a rational diet, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and the use of folk remedies.
Hormonal adjustment periods
Menopausal syndrome in women is a complication of the natural process of withering reproductive functions. This process takes place in several successive stages:
- Premenopause lasts up to six years. At this time, the hormones that stimulate follicular maturation become weaker, there are irregularities in the menstrual cycle, the volume of secretions is reduced, and the cycle becomes shorter. Pathological conditions during this period are associated with an increase in estrogen production.
- Menopause itself. It is characterized by the cessation of menstruation. This is the shortest stage of the entire restructuring of the body.
- Postmenopause. Hormonal changes are completed, estrogen levels drop, pubic hair begins to fall out, vaginal tone decreases, the amount of mucus secreted by the cervical canal decreases, the uterus becomes smaller, the glandular tissue of the female breast is replaced by fibrous and fatty. This period lasts from one to two years. If there are no pathologies, then the woman experiences postmenopause relatively calmly.
Manifestations of menopause in women
How is menopausal syndrome manifested? The complex of symptoms includes a number of unpleasant manifestations. They can have different intensities and occur in different combinations, causing a woman serious inconvenience. Doctors divide all manifestations of menopause into three main groups: neurovegetative, somatic and psychoneurotic.
Neurovegetative symptoms
Among the neurovegetative symptoms are the most common (occurring in almost 98% of women) hot flashes to the head, face, upper body. The duration of such tides can be from a few seconds to one or two minutes, they occur at any time of the day. This is accompanied by increased sweating, which is included in 80% of cases. Tingling at the fingertips, tachycardia, a feeling of cold, and possibly numbness are also characteristic.
Common vegetative disorders also include the appearance of spots on the chest, neck, severe migraine attacks, drops in blood pressure, hypertensive crises. Pain in the heart, chills and nausea, dizziness, and attacks of a rapid heartbeat may appear. Women often complain of numbness of the limbs, drowsiness or increased irritability, dry skin, swelling and periodic panic attacks.
Neurovegetative disorders often cause central nervous system sensitivity. This leads to pain in various parts of the body, symptoms from the central nervous system and other systems.
Psychoneurotic manifestations
Clinical recommendations for menopausal syndrome include the relief of psychoneurotic symptoms. They are manifested in a decrease in attention and memory, increased irritability, decreased performance, fatigue, and mental instability. Almost 13% of patients complain of a feeling of fear and anxiety, causeless irritability, intolerance to certain sounds or smells, tearfulness.
At this time, a very great influence on the condition of a woman is exerted by the perception of the wilting process. Many perceive the onset of menopause as a tragedy, the final loss of youth and the advent of old age. Every tenth woman is diagnosed with depression provoked by these very nervous experiences. Depression due to menopause is considered one of the most severe and difficult to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Somatic signs of menopause
Somatic symptoms can be due to either general changes associated with age, or an increased reaction of the body to a decrease in the amount of hormones. Dystrophic changes in the vagina, thickening and inflammation of the walls, bleeding, involuntary or painful urination, itching can be observed. Often there is a prolapse or prolapse of the vagina. Not only the reproductive system, but also the urinary system, the condition of the skin, nails and hair, and mammary glands depend on the level of hormones. The elasticity of the skin decreases, it becomes thinner, this leads to wrinkles.
In almost half of women during menopause, body weight increases. Also, calcium is washed out of the bones, which can provoke fractures, the synthesis of vitamin D is reduced, and bone destruction processes begin. This can lead to the development of osteoporosis, spinal damage, pain in the limbs at night. Thyroid abnormalities may occur.
The severity of negative manifestations
The severity of menopause syndrome distinguish the following:
- Easy flow pattern. It is observed in approximately every fifth woman. In this case, from seven to ten hot flashes a day, but the general condition does not change, the symptoms do not affect performance.
- The average form of severity. It is characteristic for every third woman. The number of tides is up to twenty times a day. At the same time, other symptoms of menopause appear: migraines, dizziness, sleep and memory disturbances, the general state of health worsens, and working capacity decreases.
- Severe form of flow. The complicated course of menopause is characteristic of every second representative of the fair sex. In this case, there is a sharp deterioration, almost complete loss of performance. Menopausal syndrome is especially difficult and long in women who have experienced early menopause. Moreover, disorders can lead to significant disturbances in psychosocial adaptation.
The syndrome is classified and depending on the clinical manifestations. There are also three main forms:
- Uncomplicated (typical) form. In this case, only hot flashes and excessive sweating are noted. Such symptoms appear even in healthy women who experience physical or mental strain. The elasticity of the skin decreases, but in general the condition is not subject to significant changes. Everything happens in full accordance with age.
- Menopausal syndrome with complications. A complicated form occurs against the background of concomitant diseases: with diabetes mellitus, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, with thyroid gland dysfunction. The frequency of hot flashes in this case increases, sleep and memory disorders, tachycardia, chest pains may also be characteristic.
- Atypical form of menopause. It is quite rare, mainly this form of menopause is typical for women who in the past suffered significant mental or physical injuries, operations, serious illnesses, worked for a long time or lived under the influence of negative factors. There is a whole complex of symptoms: hair loss, deterioration of the skin, pigment spots on the chest, itching in the genital area, rapid urination, loss of capacity for work, weight gain, tearfulness, insomnia, swelling and joint pain. Often, asthma, osteochondrosis and osteoporosis, panic attacks, hypoglycemia can develop against this background.
Treatment of menopausal syndrome
The extinction of reproductive function is a physiological process. In some cases, it is accompanied by symptoms that worsen a woman's quality of life. A gynecologist plays a decisive role in the treatment; in some cases, consultation with doctors of other specialties, such as a neurologist or a psychotherapist, may be required. Today, there are three main methods of therapy, each of which is distinguished by its advantages and disadvantages.
Non-drug therapy is better to start as part of the preparation for entering a new stage of life. This helps to significantly alleviate the course of menopause, and in some cases even avoids its manifestations. Quite effective complexes of physiotherapy exercises. Exercises that can be performed both at home and in the group, the doctor will recommend. Walking is especially helpful.
Of great importance in the treatment of menopausal syndrome is a balanced diet. The menu needs to include more vegetable fats, fresh vegetables and fruits, but carbohydrate intake should be limited. It is advisable to consume more food that is rich in phytoestrogens - plant-based substitutes for female hormones. This, for example, parsley leaves, linseed oil, soy. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes, vitamins C, E, A are especially important.
Drug therapy is used in the treatment of menopausal syndrome of moderate and severe degree. To normalize the state of the central nervous system of a woman, sedative medications are prescribed, in some cases, the doctor may recommend tranquilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics. Be sure to include vitamin-mineral complexes in the course of therapy.
Clinical observation of patients with menopausal syndrome is necessarily indicated in case of severe neuropsychiatric disorders. Some women develop such a severe depression that they cannot do without the intervention of a psychotherapist or treatment at a medical facility.
With the complete absence of the effect of other types of therapy, hormonal therapy is prescribed. The main goal of this type of treatment is to compensate for age-related changes that begin in the female body. Usually, the doctor chooses a specific method depending on the presence or absence of monthly and concomitant symptoms. Estrogens, progestogens, and various combinations thereof may be used. The basic rule of hormone therapy is the lack of initiative.
Prevention of negative symptoms
Prevention of menopausal syndrome includes:
- Maintaining an active lifestyle, regular exercises in all kinds of sports, physiotherapy exercises.
- Normalization of weight and diet. Lifelong obesity prevention .
- Proper organization of work and rest, adequate sleep, minimizing stress.
- Timely treatment of infectious diseases.
- Hormone therapy. It is prescribed by a gynecologist for certain indications in order to prevent the deterioration of the health of the fair sex.
Premature menopause in women
Early menopause occurs as a result of a violation of ovarian function, which is supported by biologically active substances and hormones. Not in all cases, premature menopause can be prevented, for example, hereditary causes do not respond to treatment. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy is used for prevention.
Menopausal manifestations in men
Doctors also distinguish male menopausal syndrome, or andronopause. This medical term is used to indicate a period of decline in the production of male sex hormones. The condition can occur between the ages of forty and sixty years and older, the average age is 46-58 years. Symptoms of male menopausal syndrome include: the extinction of sexual desire, decreased mental abilities, depression, spleen, hematopoiesis, impaired metabolic processes, constant urge to the toilet “a little”. At the same time, reproductive abilities in men are preserved. Prostate adenoma, myocardial infarction, ischemia, angina pectoris may appear.