What is Menopause? Its a point in time 12 months after a woman's last period, that's the literal definition, but to society, there’s a lot of stigma surrounding it, in fact, mental health professionals have identified puberty, pregnancy, and menopause as three windows of vulnerability for women so it's not spoken of much, meaning less awareness about the nature of women’s bodies which often leads to misconceptions, so let's break it down.
The menopausal transition or perimenopause most often begins between ages 45 and 55 and in cases of premature menopause, it happens between 40-45. Menopause can be induced and caused by the following:
Smoking
Naturally declining reproductive hormones, as one grows older the body starts making less estrogen and progesterone ( the hormones that regulate menstruation ), and fertility declines. Periods may get longer or shorter until a certain period when the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
Surgeries including the removal of the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the cervix, or the uterus.
Chemotherapy and radiation, cancer therapies might cause symptoms such as hot flashes, the stop of menstruation, and fertility may not always stop, therefore birth control may still be preferred. Meanwhile, radiation therapy can only affect the ovaries if in direct contact, so contact with the breast tissue or the head will not affect menopause.
Certain diseases, such as autoimmune diseases (when the body mistakenly attacks the ovaries), Chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS, HIV, and Turner’s syndrome, where there is a missing chromosome causing the ovaries to form abnormally at birth.
Premature Ovarian insufficiency results from the ovaries failing at producing the normal level of hormones.
The Menopause transition can have a lot of bothersome effects on the body, and they happen due to the lack of estrogen and progesterone, here are the main symptoms:
Experiencing more or fewer periods. They could be lighter or heavier, endure longer or fewer days, etc. A few missed periods do not typically indicate perimenopause or the menopausal transition.
Hot flashes (when feeling sudden heat at the back of the neck) it's the most common symptom of menopause for unknown reasons. However, recent studies show that hot flashes can continue for up to 14 years after menopause.
Vaginal issues, such as dryness, may begin or worsen. The vaginal tissue may become drier and thinner as a result of low estrogen levels. Itching, burning, soreness, or other discomfort may result from this. Additionally, it may make intercourse uncomfortable and result in minor vaginal tears and wounds which puts you at risk for contracting STIs or STDs.
Thinning hair and dry skin.
Breast fullness.
The emotional effects of menopause are most commonly the following:
Anger and irritability
Lack of self-confidence
Worsening anxiety
Mood swings
Although there are side effects and its thought that mental health may be negatively affected by menopause, several studies have indicated that menopausal women suffer no more anxiety, depression, anger, nervousness, or feelings of stress than women of the same age who are still menstruating. Psychological and emotional symptoms of fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and nervousness may be related to both the lack of estrogen, the stress of aging, and a woman's changing roles.
What are the treatment options?
Hormone therapy (HT)
Estrogen therapy (ET)
Non-hormonal treatment
Estrogen alternatives
Alternative therapies
Make sure to check in with your doctor before looking into any therapies or preventive solutions, and also if you’re struggling with any side effects so they don’t worsen.
Here is a diagram that could help get a better understanding of what happens in the body during the transition:
(Image Source: West Ashley OBGyn)
Citation:
(Cover Image Source: Health)
"Introduction to Menopause." John Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/introduction-to-menopause#:~:text=During%20this%20transition%20time%20before,of%20the%20symptoms%20of%20menopause. Accessed 2 Aug. 2023.
"Menopause symptoms and relief." OASH Office on Women's Health, 22 Feb. 2021, www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-symptoms-and-relief.
"Menopause." Mayo Clinic, 25 May 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397.
"Signs and symptoms of menopause." NHS Inform, 14 Mar. 2023, www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/signs-and-symptoms-of-menopause.
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