Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, diagnosed without menstruation at the end of the 12-month period, which often occurs in your forties or fifties (usually between the ages of 48 and 53). It results in a natural decrease in female sex hormone levels with age. The ovaries eventually stop laying eggs, preventing pregnancy or menstruation.Also read – Explained: Cold or Covid-19 in summer? Learn all the symptoms and how it differs from coronavirus – see
Overall, as menopause approaches, there are a few hormonal changes in the body, many of which are linked to a lack of eggs in the body. At the same time, the extra changes and stress that come in life at that time, contribute to the symptoms. Also read – Sonam Kapoor says her first three months of pregnancy were difficult, tips you can follow to make your first trimester easier
Although the physical and mental symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, can disrupt sleep, impair energy and emotional well-being, there are many effective treatments available, ranging from lifestyle changes to hormonal medications. Also read – International Birth Day 2022: Tips for caring for an unborn child, explained by an expert – see
Some signs of approaching menopause:
Because hormone levels cannot be tested at home, there are some so-called signs that you are close to menopause. Not every woman has these symptoms, everyone has a unique combination.
While menstrual cycles appear everywhere, appear shorter in length but sometimes completely missing. It is difficult to keep track of your menstrual cycle with normal flow changes. A gradual decrease in the flow of periods is common, however, the flow of some women may be stronger, indicating a normal uterine problem.
The amount of change in flow is determined by your body and any other uterine abnormalities that may exist. If your periods are becoming increasingly irregular, such as cycles lasting less than 21 days, bleeding for more than 10 days, or steeping through pads or tampons in less than an hour, there may be more significant problems in the game.
Intimacy no longer appeals to you. There is no desire; You are not in the mood; You try, but it doesn’t work or stimulate your soul. Decreased libido, regardless of how you feel, is another symptom. There may be multiple explanations for your low libido, such as a decrease in estrogen and / or testosterone levels, stress in relationships, increased workloads, children moving away, family problems and even bad weather are all potential culprits.
Eating the same amount of food, if not more, leads to a steady but uncontrollable weight gain around the waist, as estrogen levels decrease, which significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Another contributing factor is that metabolism naturally slows down with age, requiring fewer calories while increasing the intensity of physical activity.
If there is an unexplained increase in the number of UTIs, menopause may be approaching, as it is a side effect of vaginal dryness due to estrogen deficiency, which is less prevalent in the following months and is more common once menopause occurs. As a result of thinning of the vaginal skin, more e. E. coli can be pushed out of the rectum / rectum, causing it to stay in the urethra and multiply, creating infections as well as increasing the frequency of urination, symptoms such as inflammation at the end, urination, etc.
- Sweat and hot flush at night
Hot flushes and nocturnal sweating, defined as a rising sensation of heat from the center, envelops the entire body, making scarlet flushing and excessive sweating the two most common signs of menopause. They are usually felt between 12 and 18 months.
Although hormonal fluctuations are the root cause, stress is a known contributor. Short-term use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may be an effective way (if there is no contraindication) to reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Non-hormonal solutions are also available for those who are unable or afraid of using hormones.
Women who are close to menopause often complain of forgetfulness and inability to concentrate. Minor memory impairments, such as being unable to remember a word or incorrectly changing one’s car keys, can occur in both men and women after middle age. Stress is another factor that may play a role. If you are worried that you are forgetting too much, talk to your doctor.
(Inputs from Dr. Manisha Singh, Senior Consultant – Gynecologist and Reproductive Medicine, Banerghatta Road, Bangalore)
