Menopause

Introduction – Menopause is a phase in a woman’s life when her period stops. It is usually confirmed by the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. During this time, the ovary stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, ending a woman’s fertility. Menopause is not a medical condition; it is an imminent circumstance that every woman undergoes at some point in her life, usually at the average age of 51.

This “Change of Life” is part of the aging process. Some women go through menopause with minimal symptoms, while others experience many physical and emotional changes.

Menopause doesn’t occur in an instant. Physical and emotional changes start years before the period actually stops. This stage is referred to as the perimenopause stage. Women may have different symptoms and undergo the whole transformation phase in a different manner, but there are common changes that women experience during this stage. These include hot flashes, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and trouble focusing.

Stages of Menopause

Menopause does not occur in an instant. It is a transition in a woman’s body that happens in a slow progression during midlife, and is only a part of the entire process in a woman’s reproductive life. The whole process is categorized into 4 stages: premenopause, perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

1. Premenopause refers to the time of puberty up to menopause, which is considered as the period of normal reproductive function in a woman’s life.
2. Perimenopause is the stage wherein hormonal changes occur. The decline in estrogen and progesterone production causes physical and emotional disturbances such as hot flashes, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and trouble focusing. This stage is usually experienced by women from 35 to 50 years of age. Although there are many irregularities in your body during this phase, it is still possible to get pregnant.
3. Menopause refers to the end in a woman’s normal reproductive function. It is accurately defined as a woman’s last period wherein there has been a consecutive absence of menstruation for 12 months. During this stage, there is a great decline in the production of estrogen and progesterone, signifying the end of fertility. Menopause occurs at the average age of 51.
4. Postmenopause is the phase after menopause. It is believed that women are at more risk to chronic conditions such as heart disease and orteoporosis due to the reduced production of hormones.

Menopause is not an illness, it is an imminent circumstance that naturally occurs at some point in a woman’s life. There are treatments like Menopause Ease and lifestyle changes that will relieve the symptoms and help keep women stay healthy. Understanding the transition in a woman’s body may help you get through bodily changes with more ease.

Remedies and Treatments for Menopause:

• Medical treatments such as hormone therapy, oral contraceptives, and antidepressants help in relieving menopausal symptoms. Forces of Nature produces Menopause Ease – a certified 100% organic and all-natural remedy that is safe, easy to use, with no side effects and a full year money-back guarantee.
• Eat a healthy diet. Go for fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods that are low in fat.
• Take vitamins and dietary supplements. Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D.
• Exercise regularly. Engage in physical activities to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and other diseases.
• Have regular checkups. Since some chronic conditions pose more health risks after menopause, it is highly recommended to get Pap tests, mammograms, and pelvic exams.

Certain foods may trigger hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal discomforts, and other menopausal symptoms. These culprits include sugar, caffeine, alcohol, refined foods, and spicy foods. Keeping a diary that notes symptoms and food intake can be helpful in pinpointing which foods may be provoking which symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Menopause

1.   How long does menopause last?

Menopause is defined as a woman’s last period, which usually occurs at the average age of 51. This does not happen instantly once a woman reaches the right age. Signs and symptoms that lead to menopause occur years before menopause, usually from 35 to 50 years of age. Hormonal changes that cause physical and emotional disturbances such as hot flashes, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and trouble focusing are the common symptoms experienced by women before menopause.

2.   How do I deal with a person during her menopausal stage?

Dealing with people during their menopausal stage can be a bit complicated. The best thing to do is to understand that the person is suffering certain hormonal changes that may somehow affect her behavior. Deal with them in a constructive manner by telling them that seeking medical advice and receiving proper treatment will help them in coping with menopause.

3.   Are there certain activities or foods that trigger menopause/ menopausal symptoms?

Menopause can be triggered by certain health conditions, or medical procedures such as the removal of the ovaries or the womb. Other factors that can induce menopause include smoking, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Menopause that occurs before the age of 40 is called premature menopause.

Menopausal symptoms can be aggravated by unhealthy foods such as refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, salty foods, foods with saturated fat, and other highly processed foods.

4.   Is it still possible to get pregnant during the perimenopause stage?
Yes. It is certainly possible to get pregnant during the perimenopausal stage. At this stage, hormone production may have declined but the ovary is still fertile.

5.   What happens to my body after menopause?

Postmenopause is the phase after menopause. It is believed that women are at more risk to chronic conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis due to the reduced production of hormones. It is recommended to live a healthy lifestyle and get regular checkups such as Pap tests, pelvic exams, and mammograms.

6.   Does menopause affect my sex life?

The very low levels of estrogen after menopause can cause changes in a woman’s sexual drive. Menopausal and postmenopausal women may also experience decreased libido and vaginal dryness. However, not all women have lower sex drive at this stage. In fact, some women have more wonderful sex lives after menopause.