It's a process that all women go through at a certain age. Some symptoms are inherent to all women, while others are more specific or specific. But be careful, because experiencing menopause isn't synonymous with suffering. Would you like to learn more about how menopause develops?
Many people confuse some words or moments in women's lives, so it's worth differentiating them:
Menopause: This is the period at which the last menstrual period occurs as a result of the loss of ovarian function. It occurs when there is no menstruation for 12 consecutive months (known as amenorrhea). The average age at which menopause begins is 51 years, although it occurs earlier or later in some women. It only occurs in women.
Climacteric: This is the period of complete transition between the reproductive and post-reproductive periods. Therefore, menopause is one of the episodes within the climacteric.
Postmenopause: is the cycle that develops after menopause.Premenopause: This is the period before menopause, when changes occur in menstruation and the so-called “hot flashes” appear.
At what age does menopause occur?
As previously stated, the average age at which menopause occurs is around 51, but this can vary depending on various family, personal (smoking, obesity, diabetes, or sedentary lifestyle) or specific factors (history of chemotherapy, invasive treatments, and radiation).
Why does menopause occur?
In medical terms, we should define it as basic ovarian deficiency. This means that ovulation ceases and ovarian estrogen production is reduced, meaning that a woman loses the ability to reproduce.
What does menopause represent for women?
Beyond the clinical aspects, it's a vital crisis in a woman's life, a very significant change, just like her first menstruation or pregnancy. It undoubtedly represents a change in her lifestyle; it's the end of one stage (the reproductive stage) and at the same time the beginning of another. It can cause depression or severe emotional imbalances.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Regarding the medical or physical signs of menopause, the most notable are endocrine gland disorders, sleep disturbances, depression, urogenital atrophy, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disorders, dry skin and mucous membranes, vasomotor symptoms, and sexual problems.
Psychologically, it's a crisis that must be analyzed and treated accordingly. Not all women are affected in this way, but it does produce a change in the way they perceive themselves in the world, since for many, menopause is synonymous with old age.
What habits should be changed to better cope with menopause?
Women can better manage this time of life by changing certain habits, for example, following a healthy diet and exercising to prevent obesity and heart problems. It's also a good idea to quit smoking, consume more calcium to prevent osteoporosis, and so on.
The best way to cope with this stage is to live it as naturally as possible. Many factors influence how we cope with menopause: a woman's personality, culture, environment, beliefs, society, family, etc.
Therefore, it is necessary to consult with specialists and not to treat it as if it were an illness, but rather as just another episode of a woman's existence.
Why are hot flashes so common during menopause?
This symptom is one of the most typical and is characterized by hot flashes and increased sweating, even when it's not hot. It is also accompanied by palpitations. It affects approximately 80% of menopausal women and its estimated duration is one year.
It doesn't cause health problems, but it can affect a woman's social and emotional life. It is one of the main reasons for medical consultation. Hot flashes are often associated with psychological factors such as stress, emotion, nerves, or conflict, although this has not been proven. And they can occur at any time of day, even while sleeping.
Does menopause lead to the development of diseases?
The hormonal changes at this stage in women bring about various symptoms, which can vary from person to person. In the short term, these include irritability, palpitations, sweating, headaches, hot flashes, nervousness, emotional instability, "bone pain," and a tendency toward obesity.
In the medium term, changes occur in the muscles, skin, urinary tract, and genitals. In the long term, osteoporosis appears, and there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Why does menopause affect women emotionally?
Beyond being a pivotal stage in a woman's life, emotional or mood disorders are also due to imbalances in the production of the hormone estrogen. More mood swings are likely to be observed during this stage, which can affect personal, family, and even professional life.
A good tip is to be fully aware of everything that happens during menopause, so you can deal with it naturally.
If you want to prevent the discomfort of menopause and some of its symptoms, we recommend:
Strengthens the female reproductive system and bones, helps prevent menopausal discomfort
