Women have a unique cyclical nature, Menopause is defined as the condition when menstrual cycle stops for a period of 12 months, at this period, a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally, it usually starts with varying menstrual cycle till it get to final menstrual period, the ovary which is a pair of reproductive glands in women located in the pelvis, it produces eggs(ova) and female hormones which regulates the menstrual cycle, controls the females body characteristics such as the breast and body shape seizes it functions, In every monthly menstrual cycle, the ovary releases an egg which travel through a Fallopian tube to the uterus.
How does it start?
Menopause is a normal part of aging in a woman usually after the age of 45, A woman is born with a definite number of eggs which are stored in the ovaries, menstruation and ovulation are controlled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone made by the ovaries.
Certain conditions can cause premature menopause
Pm may start as a result of genetic disorders such as autoimmune disorders.
Premature ovarian failure: Normally, the ovaries make progesterone and estrogen, these hormones peradventure may stop releasing eggs due to changes in their secretion or for unknown reasons, if such is the case it is called premature ovarian failure and is always temporary.
Surgical removal of the ovaries: The surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) in an active ovulating woman will result to immediate menopause or induced menopause, and the ovaries may as well be removed together with the uterus (hysterectomy).
Radiation therapy o chemotherapy can lead to premature menopause when given to an ovulating woman.
Symptoms of menopause
Hot flashes and night sweats are common among women undergoing menopause, a pronounced feeling of warmth over the body especially in the head and chest, since it is yet to be understood fully, it is likely due to a combination of hormonal and biochemical fluctuations brought on by decreasing estrogen levels.
Vaginal starts losing its lubrication as estrogen level falls during perimenopause, becoming thinner, drier, irritation and itching/or pain with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) starts.
The urethra undergoes changes similar to the tissues of the vagina and thereby leading to an increased risk of urinary tract infections, urine incontinence (feeling the need to urinate more frequently).
Emotional and cognitive symptoms, changes in mood including fatigue, memory problems, irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and reduced sex drive (libido).
Other physical changes are weight gain, hair loss, wrinkles and acne, fat deposits more in the waist and abdominal area rather than in the thighs and hips.
There are certain complications and effects associated with menopause on chronic medical conditions.
Osteoporosis may start due to decreasing estrogen level and it affects the amount of calcium in the bone; this is the deterioration of the quantity and quality of bone that causes an increased risk of fracture, especially in women that do not exercise regularly.
Cardiovascular diseases increases around the time of menopause, decreased estrogen level can hamper the body from retaining flexible arteries, as such palpitations or dizziness may present, however; Women have a decreased risk of heart diseases and stroke volume when compared to men prior to menopause.
Oral contraceptive pills can be prescribed to women in perimenopause as another form of hormone therapy to treat irregular vaginal bleeding. These helps to relieve hot flashes, provide contraception, regulate menstrual periods when given estrogen therapy.
Some hormone and non-hormone treatments can be applied for the symptoms of vaginal estrogen deficiency, such as vaginal estrogen cream, vaginal moisturizer (example, k-y silk-E and liquibeads) as well as using lubricants during intercourse may manage discomfort of vaginal dryness
Betadine can be apply to the outer vaginal area or soaking in a bathtub of warm water can help to relieve the symptoms of vaginal pain and burning after intercourse.
Home remedies such as phytoestrogen and isoflavones plant can as well help, research has shown that a chemical found in soy( isofavones which contains genistein and daidzein) have a chemical structure similar to natural estrogen in the body and helps to relieve mild hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
Vitamin E supplements can provide relief to hot flashes, but no concrete facts have been proved scientifically, taking too much dosage of vitamin E may be fatal to health, but always see your gynecologist regardless what you see on the internet.
Eats foods rich in calcium, or see your dietitian for an advice.
Refrain from much spicy foods,
Caffeine
Smoking and
Caffeine
Take vitamin D supplements
Exercise regularly
Alcoholism
Wearing layers and dressing in light cotton clothing
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Hi, I’m Allison, a nutritionist and a makeup artist and an owner of my own blog at Unsullyd.com.
I have made it my motto to help my readers solve their skincare and healthcare-related issues and I give a heads up to eating right and staying beautiful.
