Most women feel that menopause brings the end of their youth and sexuality but this is just not so. Menopause is not a medical illness; it?s just a natural biological process. Now, with medical help and taking the right treatments you can enjoy this stage with grace and vitality. This is just a part of aging process.
When your ovaries stop producing eggs your menstrual activity decreases and then it stops eventually. The production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone starts to decrease. When a woman reaches her late thirties the amount of progesterone already starts decreasing and the remaining eggs in the ovaries become less likely to be fertilized.
Different stages:
This process takes place in steps.
? Premenopause: This is the period when you start to experience menopausal signs and symtoms.You may have irregular or heavier flow as your hormone level rise and fall.
? Perimenopause: This is experienced by women from their late thirties to the fifties when she passes from regular to irregular periods before attaining a full stoppage.
? Menopause: this is the period when women the menstrual cycle completely stops and they can no longer get pregnant. The production of estrogen and progesterone decreases to a low level.
? Postmenopause: This is the period after 12 months have passed from the time of her lat periods. Your ovaries stop producing eggs altogether.
Signs and symptoms:
? You experience irregular periods.
? When you observe vaginal and urinary changes in your body, like the tissues lining your vagina and urethra become drier and less elastic. This is because the estrogen level declines. It may also affect your sex life.
? You experience hot flashes i.e. your skin temperature rises which leads to a feeling of warmth that moves upward from your chest to your shoulders, neck and head. Red blotches may appear on your skin which may last for a few minutes.
? Your sleep gets disturbed and you have night sweats.
? You start gaining weight especially around the abdomen. You may also get adult acne and may notice a loss of fullness in your breasts, thinning hair and wrinkles in your skin.
? Fatigue, decreased memory and concentration level, decreased libido and also mood swings.
? Osteoporosis, joint, muscle pain, back pain
? Urogenital atrophy like urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, dryness and bleeding
Do not ignore to go see a doctor starting from your premenopause to post menopause periods to avoid any medical complexities that occur with aging. Though some of them are unavoidable but some can be benefited by adopting certain lifestyle changes and taking right medications. If and when you miss your period first confirm whether or not you are pregnant and if you are not then prepare yourself mentally and physically for the journey ahead. It is advisable to do a pelvic examination. In case you bleed from your vagina after menopause get medical attention immediately.
Life after menopause can be equally fun as long as you know what to do. This is also just another phase of your life and with proper care you can enjoy the pleasures of womanhood like always
