Menopause is the particular point in time when the last menstruation occurs. If refers to that specific point of cessation of menstruation. But in ordinary language, menopause embraces both the times before and after the exact time of menopause. In medical terms, this is called Climacteric. In this context, the term menopause shall be used in ordinary sense that is covering the pre- and post- menstrual periods.
At puberty, the cells surrounding each egg in the ovaries form a follicle and produce two types of hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are vital to the reproductive life of a woman. It is these hormones that allow the eggs to be released. As from the age of 35, the production of estrogen begins to decline which means fewer eggs are released each month. From the ages of 44 and 48, menopause begins. Of course, this does not apply to everybody. Some women do not experience menopause until they are in their fifties, while some experience menopause before the age of 44.
Here are the 4 major menopause symptoms that tell a woman she is approaching menopause:
Irregular Menstruation
The first menopause symptom is the change in the menstrual period. As from the age of 35 or 40, a woman may find out that her period becomes irregular, or scanty. The flow may be excessive or prolonged. The period may come bi-monthly instead of monthly, or it may come every two weeks. All of these are signs and symptoms that should remind women that they cannot be fertile forever, that they are nearing menopause, even though the actual menopause may be 10 or 12 years away.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes present a menopause symptoms whereby you are sleeping peacefully in your bed, suddenly you wake up. Your body feels so hot that you think it's on fire. You begin to sweat profusely as if you have been running a marathon. You feel like stripping yourself naked or lock up yourself in a freezer. When you lie in your bed, the sheets are soaked with sweat. If you experience all or some of these symptoms, you are at menopause. These experiences can be disturbing to many women. Hot flashes at night result in insomnia. Women need to understand these menopause symptoms so as to adapt properly to them.
Vaginal Dryness
This is one of the most serious menopause symptoms that may cause marital problems if proper care is not taken. One effect of estrogen shortage is that the vaginal walls become dry and stiff. The walls become thin and lubrication diminishes or disappears altogether. The skin around the vulva becomes thin and dry and easily irritated. As time goes on, the vagina becomes shorter and narrower like that of a little girl. Sexual intercourse becomes very painful if not impossible.
Aches and Pains
Pains and aches all over the body are other menopause symptoms that women nearing menopause may experience. Some women have aches and pains before, but at menopause the pains increase. This is because of the decreased estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone that nourishes and strengthens the body tissues, especially in the female genital track and the breasts. With the decline in estrogen, the tissues become weaker and prone to infections. They become stiffer causing aches and pains to arise.
Sensations
It often happens that at menopause, a woman begins to experience some sensations all over the body. Some feels as if ants are crawling all over their body. Some women feel sweats trickling down from their head to their cheeks, but when they reach to wipe it off, they feel nothing. Some feel tingling sensations in the face and prickles and tingles running around the body. The decreasing estrogen causes all these. If you are a health worker, you will notice that most of the women who complain of these signs and symptoms are between the ages of 40 and 50.
Menopause is one thing that must come in the life of every woman. Therefore, women should be armed with necessary menopause information that will enable them stand firm when menopause symptoms set in. Researching on issues bothering menopause and making proper inquiries from medical personnel are good way to get menopause information.
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