Menopause is a normal part of ageing for a woman and
literally means "last period". The term, however, is commonly used to
describe the years when the ovaries gradually begin to produce fewer
eggs and less of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
This reduction in hormone production causes the periods to become progressively more irregular until they stop altogether, and produces physical and psychological symptoms in many women. The timeframe from when symptoms first appear to when menopause occurs may be several years. This timeframe is medically referred to as the climacteric or the perimenopause.
After menopause a woman's risk of heart disease (including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke) increases and becomes as high as it is for men. The risk of developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) is also increased.
Menopause, often referred to as "the change of life", usually occurs between the ages of 45 - 55 years with the average age being 52 years. Menopause is generally considered complete when a woman has not had a period for one year.
This reduction in hormone production causes the periods to become progressively more irregular until they stop altogether, and produces physical and psychological symptoms in many women. The timeframe from when symptoms first appear to when menopause occurs may be several years. This timeframe is medically referred to as the climacteric or the perimenopause.
After menopause a woman's risk of heart disease (including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke) increases and becomes as high as it is for men. The risk of developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) is also increased.
Menopause, often referred to as "the change of life", usually occurs between the ages of 45 - 55 years with the average age being 52 years. Menopause is generally considered complete when a woman has not had a period for one year.
Why Does Menopause Occur?
At birth, the ovaries contain a lifetime supply of
eggs stored in small follicles. At puberty, hormones produced by the
pituitary gland in the brain stimulate the ovaries to begin releasing
eggs each month (ovulation). This prompts oestrogen and progesterone to
be released by the ovaries, which in turn stimulate the lining of the
uterus (endometrium) to thicken in preparation for the implantation of
a fertilised egg. If an egg is not fertilised the endometrium is shed
and a period occurs. This entire process is known as the menstrual
cycle.
As a woman ages the number of follicles in her ovaries decreases and the ovaries produce fewer hormones. Menopause occurs when the ovaries fail to produce enough hormones to stimulate the monthly growth of the endometrium, and periods stop permanently.
There are three types of menopause: natural, premature, and artificial.
Natural menopause occurs when levels of oestrogen and progesterone decline naturally.
Premature (early) menopause is when periods stop before the age of 40 years. This can be due to many reasons including medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease, and surgery or medications that have affected the blood supply to the ovaries. Women who smoke are also more likely to go through premature menopause. Sometimes, however, there is no identifiable cause.
Artificial (surgical) menopause is a consequence of surgical removal of both ovaries or destruction of the ovaries by some cancer treatments. With artificial menopause there is a sudden drop in hormone levels and menopausal symptoms begin abruptly. Often the symptoms experienced are more severe than those experienced with natural or premature menopause.
As a woman ages the number of follicles in her ovaries decreases and the ovaries produce fewer hormones. Menopause occurs when the ovaries fail to produce enough hormones to stimulate the monthly growth of the endometrium, and periods stop permanently.
There are three types of menopause: natural, premature, and artificial.
Natural menopause occurs when levels of oestrogen and progesterone decline naturally.
Premature (early) menopause is when periods stop before the age of 40 years. This can be due to many reasons including medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease, and surgery or medications that have affected the blood supply to the ovaries. Women who smoke are also more likely to go through premature menopause. Sometimes, however, there is no identifiable cause.
Artificial (surgical) menopause is a consequence of surgical removal of both ovaries or destruction of the ovaries by some cancer treatments. With artificial menopause there is a sudden drop in hormone levels and menopausal symptoms begin abruptly. Often the symptoms experienced are more severe than those experienced with natural or premature menopause.
Signs and Symptoms
Often the first symptom of impending menopause is a
change in bleeding patterns. Periods may become lighter or heavier,
longer or shorter, the time between periods may increase and there may
be occasional missed periods. These changes may occur gradually in some
women, yet are more abrupt in others.
There are also a wide range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms associated with menopause. In some women they are very mild while in others they are more severe. They may last for only a few months, or may continue for several years. The average length of time for menopausal symptoms to be experienced is three to five years.
Physical signs and symptoms may include:
There are also a wide range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms associated with menopause. In some women they are very mild while in others they are more severe. They may last for only a few months, or may continue for several years. The average length of time for menopausal symptoms to be experienced is three to five years.
Physical signs and symptoms may include:
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Hot flushes (occurring in approximately 60% of women)
-
Sweats (often at night)
-
Tiredness
-
Headaches
-
Joint and bone pain
-
Palpitations
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Unusual skin sensations
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Vaginal dryness, incontinence and infections of the urinary tract and vagina may occur due to the thinning of the vagina and bladder walls.
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Anxiety
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Reduced interest in sex
-
Irritability and mood swings
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Difficulty concentrating
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Loss of confidence
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Forgetfulness
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Difficulty sleeping
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Depression
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Diagnosis
There is no one test to diagnose menopause. Symptoms experienced may indicate that menopause is imminent, however menopause can only be confirmed retrospectively after periods have been absent for one year. Blood tests may be taken at this time as the levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland - follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) may be higher if menopause has occurred.
A change in bleeding patterns, particularly where periods become heavier, and an absence of periods (amenorrhoea) can indicate various medical conditions. It may therefore be advisable to consult a doctor before assuming that the changes are menopausal symptoms. Also, if bleeding occurs after periods have been absent for a year, a doctor should be consulted, as this is not considered normal.
There is no one test to diagnose menopause. Symptoms experienced may indicate that menopause is imminent, however menopause can only be confirmed retrospectively after periods have been absent for one year. Blood tests may be taken at this time as the levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland - follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) may be higher if menopause has occurred.
A change in bleeding patterns, particularly where periods become heavier, and an absence of periods (amenorrhoea) can indicate various medical conditions. It may therefore be advisable to consult a doctor before assuming that the changes are menopausal symptoms. Also, if bleeding occurs after periods have been absent for a year, a doctor should be consulted, as this is not considered normal.