Menopause

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Menopause simply refers to the phase in every woman’s life when the ovaries cease to produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, the menstrual periods cease to occur, and pregnancy is no longer possible. A woman is considered menopausal after she has gone twelve months without having a period. At that point, estrogen levels have remained so low that the lining of the uterus is not stimulated to build up enough to shed, causing periods to no longer occur. The continued low level of estrogen is reflected in the lack of fluctuation between heavy bleeding and breast tenderness, and no periods and shrinking breasts. With continued low levels of estrogen women are likely to have an increase in hot flashes (which begin during periomenopause), difficulty concentratring and decreased memory. Unfortunately, the loss of bone accelerates at this point. As a matter of fact, women lose bone during this period at a faster rate than at any time in their life. Additionally, other symptoms of perimenopause may intensify, such as vaginal dryness, lack of interest in sex, dry skin, moodiness, irritability and a lack of energy.

The classic menopause symptom is hot flashes, sometimes known as hot flushes, and night sweats. A hot flash can last only a few minutes or so, or it may last for anything up to half an hour, and consists of a warm feeling in the face, neck and upper chest, which may or may not be accompanied by visible redness, a thumping heartbeat, and sweating, and may or may not be followed by a cold flash or chill. Some women also experience night sweats, which are associated with waking in the night feeling excessively overheated, or with nightclothes and bedding soaked with sweat. All of these symptoms can be treated very successfully using a

Five years after menopause (post menopause), a woman's body settles into a lower estrogen state, bone loss slows down - but definitely continues - and many women become acclimated to the symptoms. Unfortunately, the damage to the many organ systems that need estrogen continues insidiously. As a result, heart disease, osteoporosis, fracture, diabetes and Alzheimer's rates increase significantly.

If you're approaching menopause and think you may be experiencing perimenopause, you can take precautions now that will reduce the risk of these conditions that are so very common in older women.