The Start of Menopause
Every woman who has a menstrual cycle will go through menopause. Menstrual cycles normally start between the ages of 12 and 16 and last up until the start of menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Transitioning into menopause can be a trying time for women, so the more you know about what to expect the easier it will be.
How it Starts
A small amount of women notice menopause has taken place when their menstrual flow suddenly disappears. Although most women realize their periods gradually stop over time. Due to a decline in the hormone estrogen, periods may become less regular or more frequent. This may happen for one to three years before the periods finally stop. This one- to three-year transitioning period is called perimenopause or menopause transition.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of menopause include: heart racing or pounding, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, skin flushing, irregular menstrual periods, forgetfulness, decreased interest in sex and decreased sexual stimulation, mood swings, urine leakage, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, increase in vaginal infections and depression. Some women experience a few of these symptoms, and some don't experience any symptoms at all.
Psychological and Physical Changes
During menopause, a woman's body goes through many fluctuations, which is why it is commonly referred to as "the change." Also during menopause, the skin becomes thinner and due to a lack of estrogen, and the body doesn't produce vaginal lubrication, which may cause the vagina to become irritated and bleed during sexual intercourse. Certain women find that sex is not as enjoyable and orgasms may be less intense. Psychological changes such as depression are common. This may not be due to hormonal changes, but is more closely linked to stress caused by the physical changes.
Treatments
A common treatment for menopause is hormone replacement therapy, widely known as HRT. HRT replaces the hormone estrogen is small daily doses. Women in menopause who haven't had a hysterectomy may be given HRT in addition to a synthetic version of progesterone. This treatment is called combined HRT, which comes in two forms, sequential and continuous. Perimenopausal women who experience erratic menstrual bleeding are recommended to take sequential combined HRT. This form of HRT is made to behave like the menstrual cycle in order to cause a regular monthly period. These pills come in packs of 28 and contain estrogen but the last 12 to 14 pills also combine progesterone. Women who are postmenopausal (have not had a period for one year or more) are recommended to have continuous combined HRT. This doesn't produce a menstrual period and each dose contains both estrogen and progesterone.
Risks
There is an increased risk of getting osteoporosis in connection with menopause. Osteoporosis causes bones to thin, which can cause them to become brittle. This happens during menopause due to a decline in the hormone estrogen, which usually stimulates the building cells within the bone. Because of this estrogen decline, menopausal women tend to lose bone mass and bone strength for years. This results in easy fractures and bone collapses.
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