According to the US National Library of Medicine (NIH), Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when she stops having periods.. This usually occurs naturally and more often following the age of 45.
Although this is a natural biological process, there are some physical and psychological symptoms that can disrupt sleep, lower energy, and even affect a woman’s mental health.
According to the NIH, the most common symptoms of menopause include:
- Change in menses.
- Hot flashes and/or night sweats.
- Difficulty to sleep.
- vaginal dryness
- Humor changes.
- Difficult to focus.
- Less hair and more facial hair.
Aside from the natural deterioration of reproductive hormones that occurs with age and decreases a woman’s fertility, causing early interruptions in her menstrual cycles, there are a few additional causes of menopause, warns the Mayo Clinic.
Surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy): The ovaries produce hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, that regulate the menstrual cycle. Surgery to remove the ovaries causes immediate menopause. Menstrual periods stop and hot flashes are likely, as well as other signs and symptoms of menopause.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy: these cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during or shortly following the course of treatment. The interruption of menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so it is recommended to continue using contraception.
Primary ovarian insufficiency: About 1% of women experience menopause before the age of 40 (premature menopause). Premature menopause may be the result of premature ovarian failure (when the ovaries do not produce normal levels of reproductive hormones) due to genetic factors or an autoimmune disease.
However, in general, a cause of premature menopause cannot be found. Hormone therapy is often recommended for these women, at least until the normal age of menopause in order to protect the brain, heart, and bones.
When to consult the doctor?
Along the same lines, the Clinic recommends that women periodically visit the doctor to have preventive health care and be attentive to any questions that may arise regarding this issue. Dating should be kept before, during, and following menopause.
Also, preventive care should be accompanied by some screening tests as you age, these include colonoscopies, mammograms and determinations of the value of triglycerides.
Depending on the specialized entity, the health professional may also recommend some examinations and tests such as that of the thyroid gland if the history of each patient warrants it, as well as pelvic and breast examinations.
If a woman has vaginal bleeding following menopause, she should see her doctor immediately to rule out any complications.
Complications that may occur
The Mayo Clinic warns that following menopause, the risk of certain diseases increases. These conditions may include:
- Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases: when estrogen levels decrease, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men.
- Osteoporosis: This disorder causes bones to become weak and brittle, leading to an increased risk of fractures. During the first few years following menopause, bone density may be lost at a rapid rate, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Urinary incontinence: As the tissues of the vagina and urethra lose elasticity, you may experience a frequent and sudden strong urge to urinate, followed by involuntary loss of urine (urge urinary incontinence) or loss of urine when coughing, laughing, or getting up (stress incontinence).
- sexual function: Vaginal dryness due to decreased moisture production and loss of elasticity can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during intercourse. Also, decreased sensitivity can reduce sexual desire (libido).
- Weight gain: Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and following menopause due to a slower metabolism.
