Menopause is the stage in a women’s reproductive life, marked by the end of the menstrual cycles. It’s termed to be 12 months of not having a menstrual period and usually occur between the 40s or 50s. this is a biological process and there are several symptoms which can be associated with it. These include hot flashes, lower energy levels and erratic emotional health. Lifestyle modifications and emotional conditioning are primarily the methods of treating menopause.
The common symptoms of menopause include:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Chills & night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Erratic mood changes
- Weight gain
- Hair fall
Primarily menopause is a natural phenomenon, which is caused by the natural decline of reproductive hormones. With advancing age, the body starts producing lower levels of estrogen and progesterone and it completely goes down by the time an individual hits menopause. However, certain conditions may advance the menopausal age. These include – a hysterectomy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. For some women, they may be born with an ovarian insufficiency which may cause menopause in their early 40s.
The common complications associated with menopause include:
- Osteoporosis
- Urinary incontinence
- Heart disease
- Declining libido
- Unintended weight gain
As mentioned earlier, menopause is a natural phenomenon and every woman experiences it at some stage in her life. Thus, it is not so much about the treatment of the condition, it is about managing the symptoms and providing emotional support to deal with the changes a woman is undergoing.
Lifestyle modifications are important to cope with the various physical and emotional changes a woman in undergoing, along with the support of family members to help her deal with the changes. In some cases, hormonal therapy may be required to counter the effects of menopause.
