Menopause is that time in a woman's life when menstruation stops and the ability to conceive ends. The production of hormones slows down causing annoying symptoms for the aging woman. Hot flashes is one of those symptoms. According to WebMD, 75 to 85 percent of women experience hot flashes as they enter menopause. The hot flashes can last five years or more causing a woman's body thermostat to vary considerably. Along with hot flashes are sleep disorders, weight gain, vaginal dryness, mood swings, dry skin, and hair thinning to name a few. Each woman is different, but all will experience some changes in the body.
Identification
Menopause is the end of menstruation and the ability to conceive. It is a natural process that occurs a year after the last menstrual period, which is approximately age 51. Leading up to menopause, the ovaries will slow down making the two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. This change usually begins around the age of 45.
Effects
The most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes. This is when the body suddenly feels warmth spreading throughout the upper part. The hot flashes will cause sweating and then chilliness. Women may feel an urge to take off a sweater or open a window, and then feel a need to put the sweater back on. Some women will only feel night sweats. They will wake to find themselves soaked with sweat. Others will feel hot flashes throughout the day.
Sleep disorder is another common symptom of menopause. It may begin five to seven years before menopause with disrupted sleep. You may wake once or twice or continuously throughout the night.
Vaginal dryness is caused by thinning in the vaginal lining. This can make intercourse uncomfortable.
As you approach menopause, menstrual periods will become irregular. The cycle may shorten or lengthen. They may be heavier or lighter. This usually begins in the mid-forties.
Considerations
Besides hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorder, vaginal dryness and irregular periods, women experience less subtle changes that begin before menopause. You may notice more hair in your brush. Because hair follicles need estrogen, it's common to experience thinning hair. Estrogen fluctuations can cause an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. It can come on suddenly causing you to wonder what is making you so tired. Memory loss and lapses in concentration may occur. You may forget an appointment or the name of a movie, person, or title of a book. The body's metabolism begins to slow down, so weight gain may occur. Frustration can happen when the weight doesn't come off as easily as it did in your twenties or thirties.
All of these symptoms can manifest into larger issues for those who are not willing to accept the aging process.
Prevention/Solution
Menopause cannot be stopped, but the symptoms can be relieved. Some people opt for hormone replacement therapy while others choose approaches that are more natural. HRT or estrogen replacement therapy is used to replace hormones in the woman's body. It will relieve the symptoms of menopause and protect the body against osteoporosis, a loss of bone density common in postmenopausal women. HRT comes with risks and is not a good choice for all women. The decision to take HRT is between the doctor and the patient.
Natural remedies include soy products in the diet for hot flashes, taking St. John's Wort for depression and mood swings, and Black Cohash for night sweats. Other products include Evening Primrose and Ginseng. Doctors also recommend exercise to relief hot flashes even if the patient is taking HRT.
Warning
Menopause may cause deep depression in some women and extreme mood swings. The stress of body changes, inability to conceive, and a history of mood disorders can affect a woman's mental state. Treatments for severe depression and mood swings may include HRT, antidepressant medication and counseling.
