Menopause is a natural transition all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility. The transitional time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause and can start several years before menopause itself.
So what causes menopause? As women age, the ovaries gradually make less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help regulate menstrual cycles. By the late 40s to early 50s, estrogen levels drop low enough that menstrual periods stop completely. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen from 40s to mid 50s.
Symptoms can start during perimenopause as hormone levels fluctuate erratically. Common complaints include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, trouble sleeping, and urinary issues. Heart palpitations or racing heart can also occur. Don't fret, gal pals, these annoyances tend to ease up after menopause.
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The duration and severity of menopause symptoms varies widely between gals. Here's the lowdown... About 80% of women experience some physical or emotional symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. For 25-50% of women, symptoms are severe enough to impact quality of life and productivity. The other 30-50% coast through relatively unscathed, lucky them!
Lifestyle changes can help manage troublesome symptoms:
- Exercise helps mood, energy, sleep
- Healthy diet with calcium, vitamin D, antioxidants
- Stress relief via meditation, yoga, massage
- No smoking, as it worsens hot flashes
If self-care fails to tame severe symptoms, doctors may prescribe low-dose antidepressants or gabapentin for hot flashes/night sweats. Local estrogen creams can treat vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. Oral hormone therapy is an option for stubborn vasomotor and urogenital symptoms. Discuss risks/benefits with your healthcare provider.
The upside of menopause? No more monthly periods or buying tampons, woo hoo! It also marks the end of fertility - no more contraception needed. Women still ovulate sporadically until their final period, so pregnancy is unlikely but possible in the first year after periods cease.
In closing, menopause signifies the end of reproductive capacity but not the end of womanhood or vitality. Stay positive and proactive during the change, ladies! Supportive partners, friends, healthcare providers also help smooth the transition. This too shall pass!