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MENOPAUSE

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MENOPAUSE

Menopause is that time in a woman’s life that marks the end of her menstrual cycle as a result of a natural decline in her reproductive hormones.

  • It is associated with the absence of 12 months of menstrual period.
  • Menopause is a natural, biological process.
  • It can happen during the early 40s or late 50s.
  • About 1% of women begin menopause before 40, and about 5% between the ages of 40 and 45
  • Menopause process does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual This process is called perimenopausal transition.
  • The perimenopausal period is the time around a menopause
  • The perimenopausal transition varies among different women.
  • The perimenopausal transition mostly begins about four years before the last period.
  • A small number of women starts their perimenopausal transition 10 years before their menopause.
  • The perimenopausal transition is characterized by an irregular menstrual period. The period will skip a month and then return or may skip for several months and then the regular cycle starts for a few months. Menstrual flow may also get heavier or lighter.

CAUSES

The major cause of menopause is the decline in a woman’s reproductive hormone. At this time, the function of the ovaries ceases and no chance of pregnancy.

  • The reproductive gland is made up of the ovaries, located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.
  • The ovaries produce estrogen (the women hormone) and eggs.
  • An egg is released at the ovary during each monthly menstrual cycle
  • This egg travels down from the ovary to the uterus through the fallopian tube.
  • The aging of these ovaries leads to less production of reproductive hormones
  • This, in turn, leads to loss of active ovarian follicles that allows menstruation and fertility
  • Menopause is induced in some cases
  • This may be as a result of surgical removal of the ovaries or caused by injury
  • Cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also lead to an induced menopause
  • Premature ovarian condition. This is characterized by an early occurrence of menopause before the age of 40, this may be related to some autoimmune diseases or gene.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  • Vaginal dryness itching and dryness. This is result in the thinning of the vaginal lining as a result of the estrogen level dropping.
  • Tiredness
  • Fatigue
  • Mood changes
  • Insomnia
  • Thinning of hair or hair loss
  • Weight gain in some women
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Sore or tender breast
  • The increased hair on some part of the body like the neck, face, back and chest
  • Hot flash: This is a feeling of warmth that spreads over the body and more pronounced in the head and chest.
  • Night Sweats
  • Urinary symptoms: The declining estrogen level results in the thinning of the urethra lining and can cause dryness, itching. This can lead to a risk of urinary infections and causes a constant urge to urinate.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS
  • There is no single test for diagnosing menopause
  • However, your doctor can carry out a test that will measure the level of hormone in the blood usually FSH (follicle-stimulating hormones). The FSH helps to control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. An elevated FSH blood level of 30 mL or higher combined with 12 consecutive months of no menstrual flow is usually a confirmation of menopause.
  • it is advisable to talk to a health care provider if your 45 years or younger and you are experiencing disabling menopause symptoms.
TREATMENT
  • Hormone therapy may be an effective way of treatment especially in women under 60 years. It helps in the reduction and management of some symptoms like hot flashes, night sweating.
  • Some medications are used in treating some other symptoms such as hair thinning, insomnia and vaginal dryness.
  • Sleeping medications for insomnia
  • Topical minoxidil for hair thinning
  • Nonhormonal virginal moisturizer and lubricants
  • Ospemifene for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
  • Regular exercise for 20-30 minutes per day. This helps in increasing energy, well-being and improves mood
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression, hot flashes, and anxiety
  • Regular intake of Sodium, Magnesium, and Vitamins D supplements