Menopause is a physiological and common process in women’s lives, but it always raises many doubts, including the most common: “what are the symptoms of menopause?”. Before we get into the subject, it is worth understanding what this period is and why it happens.
Menopause is nothing more than the phase in which the natural interruption of menstruation occurs, usually between the woman’s 48 and 51 years of age. This is because estrogen and progesterone, the so-called female hormones, are no longer produced by the ovaries.
It is important to note that the transition period from the reproductive phase, when there is the menstrual cycle, to the non-reproductive phase is called climacteric. Menopause, in turn, is the phenomenon that occurs during the climacteric, when menstrual cycles become irregular, until they stop completely.
Stages of menopause
To facilitate understanding, it is possible to separate menopause by stages, they are:
Pre-menopause
Pre-menopause is the climacteric phase, when the woman’s body prepares itself to not be more fertile, therefore, there is a reduction in hormonal production. It starts around 40 years of age and usually lasts on average 6 to 8 years.
Pre-menopause is asymptomatic, so when symptoms start to appear, the perimenopause stage begins.
Perimenopause
This period includes pre-menopause and post-menopause, as this is the stage when the first symptoms of climacteric surface. That is, in perimenopause there is menstrual irregularity, heat and changes in sleep and mood.
This stage ends after the woman turns a year without menstruating.
Postmenopause
Post-menopause begins one year after the last menstruation and lasts until the end of life. During this period it is quite common to experience osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, which causes dryness in the organ, and there is a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Symptoms of menopause
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The symptoms of menopause, its intensity and age at onset can vary from woman to woman, since there is interference from genetics and also from lifestyle.
- Irregular menstruation
- Heat waves that start for no reason or apparent cause
- Absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months
- Vaginal dryness, which can lead to discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse
- Reduced libido
- Frequent tiredness
- Mood swings, such as irritability, anxiety and / or sadness
- Intense sweats at night
- Difficulty sleeping and / or decreased sleep quality
- Thinning and / or hair loss
- Deceleration of metabolism and weight gain
When you notice changes in the menstrual cycle and / or any of the symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical help. The diagnosis of menopause, in turn, is made from the analysis of these symptoms along with age. In some cases, your doctor may recommend blood tests to check the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Is there a treatment for menopause?
Menopause is a phase of life that every woman goes through, however, some manifest very intense symptoms that compromise their professional, family and private life. In these cases, the doctor may recommend hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement, to relieve symptoms. In practice, this treatment consists of “replacing” estrogen and progesterone.
However, it is important to seek professional assistance, as hormonal treatment can bring risks. In addition, hormonal therapy is contraindicated for women with uncontrolled hypertension or a history of breast cancer, stroke and stroke, among others.
An alternative for those who do not want or cannot use hormonal treatment, is to resort to options such as:
- Phytotherapy: therapy aimed at the use of medicinal plants and their extracts;
- Homeopathy: is performed with plant, mineral and animal extracts;
- Acupuncture: the technique consists of inserting needles in specific places, depending on the symptoms.
- Nutraceuticals: the treatment with nutraceuticals is based on the woman’s needs, since it is possible to obtain a strategic composition.
In addition to these treatment possibilities, it is essential to maintain good daily habits, as these promote well-being and quality of life. Therefore, it is worth remembering the tips we always give here:
drink a lot of water
practice physical activity
avoid smoking and alcohol
keep your food balanced
Oh, and of course, always consult the gynecologist and keep the exams up to date.
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