MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS & AGE
What is menopause?
The time 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period is called menopause. The years up to this point where women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. The menopause transition usually occurs between the ages of 45-55. It usually takes about seven years but can extend up to 14 years. Duration may depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age of onset, race and ethnicity. During perimenopause, the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones produced by the ovaries, changes drastically. The menopause transition affects every woman in unique and varied ways. The body starts to use energy differently, fat cells change and women can gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, body shape and composition, or physical function.
1- Irregular period
Women menstruate from the age of 12-13 until the age of 40, when they enter menopause. menstrual bleeding; It is the vaginal discharge of the uterine tissue prepared for pregnancy, as a result of not fertilization of the egg and sperm, so that the pregnancy does not develop. Menstrual bleeding normally occurs every 21-35 days. It lasts for 4-8 days. From adolescence to menopause, this process is expected to repeat regularly. Menstruation is not observed during pregnancy and lactation (beginning). Normally, the period between two periods should be between 21-35 days. The shortening, prolongation or abnormal cessation of menstruation is called menstrual irregularity.
2- Hot Flashes
About 70% of women suffer from hot flashes during menopause. Duration of hot flashes can change 30 seconds to 30 minutes. This is because estrogen levels change, which affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Menopause occurs between the ages of 45-55. Symptoms can range from mild (in some cases) to extremely severe and can last from a few months to several years. For some women, the term menopause can have a significant impact on everyday life. But there are things you can do to make you sweat less and feel more comfortable.
3- Loss of Libido
Pain and burning may be felt during intercourse due to vaginal dryness and decreased tissue lubricity because of estrogen, which decreases sexuality in menopause, thus reducing sexual desire in menopause. In addition to the decrease in estrogen in menopause, androgens, which are produced in women and provide libido, decrease somewhat. This situation can lead to a reduce in libido. Testosterone, the most basic androgen, plays an important role in female sexuality. In women with testosterone deficiency, low libido, unexplained fatigue and lack of motivation can be seen.
4- Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal walls are made up of a thin sticky layer of moisture called mucus. This layer is also an environment where sperm can survive and cling to for sexual reproduction. Vaginal secretions reduce friction during sexual intercourse. Estrogen is the main hormone in keeping the vagina lubricated and moist. During menopause, the secretion of the vaginal glands decreases due to the lack of estrogen. As a woman’s age increases, changes in hormone production cause the vaginal walls to thin. As you age, the number of mucus produced decreases. This can lead to vaginal dryness. Hormonal changes are the most common cause of vaginal dryness, but they are not the only cause. Sometimes, the entrance of the vagina may be enlarged due to childbirth. More dryness can be observed in the vagina that receives air from the external environment. Such complaints may occur in sexual relations without getting wet enough.
5- Hair loss
Hormonal fluctuations cause hair loss during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen and progesterone keep the hair in the growth phase, allowing it to grow faster and stay on the scalp longer. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop, hair growth slows over time and hair loss becomes more pronounced. Also, the body produces more androgens because it wants to respond to the loss of estrogen and progesterone. Androgens shrink hair follicles and cause hair loss as an effect. Androgens can also accelerate hair growth on other parts of the body, such as the face.
6- Loss of Concentration
It is natural to experience memory and concentration loss in the early and middle stages of menopause. An important change that causes normal forgetfulness during menopause is the drop in the body’s hormone levels. Estrogen levels increase and decrease during premenopause. Estrogen is one of the most important hormones affecting the brain before and during menopause. While absolute hormone levels aren’t associated with cognitive function, it’s common for fluctuations during this time to play a role in the memory problems many menopausal women experience.
7- Depression and Irritability
Menopause causes psychological as well as biological changes for a woman. Many women experience complaints such as low sexual desire, insomnia, headache, hot flashes, chills, sweating in later years. Most of the complaints can be controlled with hormone regulators. However, it also causes deep psychological injuries in some women. As a matter of fact, studies have revealed that the risk of depression increases three times in menopause. These depressions naturally also affect the nervous levels of women. Therefore, gynecologist recommendations during menopause are important in terms of detecting and eliminating a possible depression beforehand.
8- Gaining weight
One of the most important problems of menopause for women is sudden weight gain. Even in women who do not have weight problems, lubrication occurs especially in the abdomen and fat area with menopause. This is because estrogen production continues, albeit in a small amount, in adipose tissues.
9- Pain in the Breasts
Breast pain in menopause is not a periodic pain since the menstrual period ends and should be evaluated. However, medications used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms may cause breast pain and tenderness because they contain synthetic hormones. Some medications such as depression medication, cholesterol-lowering medications used with hormones, heart and psychiatric medications can increase breast pain.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you can always contact with us. As Istanbul Gyno, our priority is your health.