FEMALE MENOPAUSE

Menopause is a period of natural cessation of monthly menstruation, which is a natural part of woman's life cycle, at this point the woman stops ovulating, indicating the end of fertility. The average age of unset for women to experience menopause is 51, but the most common age range is between ages 48-55. Some women starts at age 40 and some continue to have menstrual period into their 50s, some women experience premature menopause, this occur in women younger than 40 years and may be caused by premature ovarian failure or cancer; this is why every premature menopause should be well investigated to rule out complications, lifestyle can also accelerate ovary decline resulting in earlier menopause.

Every woman will experience menopause because of a complex series of hormonal changes her body goes through monthly and due to decreased production of estrogen and progesterone hormone which a woman experience because of age and decline of ovary function.

Symptoms

Menopause symptoms vary from one woman to another even in the same family, which means each individual will need to manage her own menopause

1. Hot flashes
2. Mood swings
3. Night sweats
4. Heart palpitations
5. Insomnia
6. Fatigue
7. Anxiety
8. Depression
9. Poor concentration
10. Vaginal dryness
11. Premature aging
12. Irregular period
13. Low libido
14. Oedema
15. Weakened fingernails
16. Itchy skin
17. Lapse memory
18. Achy joints and muscles
19. Headaches
20. Incontinence
21. Digestive issues
22. Dizziness
23. Bloating
24. Tingling of extremities
25. Ringing ears
26. Osteoporosis
27. Heavy menses
28. Nervousness
29. Tender breast
30. Irritability

3 Stages of menopause

1. Peri menopause stage - is the period when the body begins to transit into menopause, it begins several years before menopause as the ovaries gradually make less estrogen, during the period, a woman may experience menopausal symptoms even though she still menstruate, peri menopause last up till menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
2. Menopause - A woman enters menopause 1-2 years after cessation of her last mentrual period, at this stage the ovaries have stoped releasing eggs and making most of their estrogen
3. Post menopause - These are the years after menopause, during this period, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes ease for most women but some health risk are related because of the decline in estrogen production, such as:

• Osteoporosis - decreased estrogen is associated with the bones no longer retaining much calcium, bones becomes weak and can be easily fractured
• Heart diseases - decreased estrogen is also associated in an increase risk of heart disease, the level of bad cholesterol is raised, and palpitation occurs often.
• Headaches - when hormone levels flunctuate, blood vessels expand and contract sparodically and this can result in headaches
• Urinary incontinence - many women experience lose of bladder control because of decline in estrogen and frequent visits to the bathroom, especially at night.
• Vagina changes - lack of estrogen make the skin of vagina thinner causing vagina dryness, itching, burning and it can also cause pain during intercourse
• Weight gain - many women gain weight during menopausal transition and after menopause because of slow metabolism
• Alzheimer's - most menopausal women experience lapses in memory from time to time, though mostly attributed to normal aging but sometimes they can be a sign of Alzheimer's             
• Wrinkles - the body decline in making of collagen during menopause making skin elasticity to drop thereby causing sagging and wrinkles
• Breast changes - changes in breast and soreness could be because of decline in estrogen production apart from the fact that these may also happen during pregnancy or a signal that period is about to start      
• Weakened vision - menopause is the common cause of vision loss in both male and female, it is at this midlife stage that most people over age 40 visit the opthalmologist, the following are the common eye diseases associated with menopause: 

a. Cataracts

b. Glaucoma

c. Dry eyes

d. Age related macular degeneration

Treatment

Menopause is not a disease that has a definite cure or treatment, but changes in lifestyle will help relieve many of the symptoms, herbal treatment, supplements and acupuncture are all helpful in decreasing hot flashes and treatment.
1. Hot flashes:

All women experience hot flashes during menopause but in different degrees, making it the most common symptom, hot flashes can occur anytime and several times of the day and at night. During a hot flash the body's temperature rises and the rush of the heat is accompanied by palpitations, sweating and dizziness, sometimes after the hot flash you may feel cold allover, all these will last from about 3 seconds to a few minutes.To prevent hot flashes, avoid all triggers.
Hot flashes triggers are:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Stress
• Spicy foods
• Hot weather
• Smoking

2. Acupuncture

3. Supplements, foods and herbs

• Essential fatty acids
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Holy basil
• Turmeric
• Vitamin 
• Coenzyme Q10
• Iron
• Flaxseeds
• Aloe vera gel
• Water
• Fruits and vegetables

4. Regular exercise
5. Reduced stress
6. Enough sleep
7. Discuss with your immediate family, you need their understanding, love and affection

Be calm
Be patient
Live your life fully throughout menopause