How long does menopause last? Life after menopause: what you need to be prepared for Menopause in women

At a certain age, a woman’s body undergoes some changes that interfere with her physical, social and psychological state. A primary role in this process belongs to endocrine disorders, mainly a decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen. What are these changes? At what age can they overtake a woman? This is exactly what this article will discuss.

general information

Menopause- this is a normal condition that absolutely every woman has to face.

In the life of all representatives of the fair sex there comes a rather difficult time associated with hormonal changes in the entire body. This is a special physiological period during which, against the background of natural age-related changes, involutionary processes directly in the reproductive system itself prevail. They are, as a rule, characterized first by the cessation of reproductive function, and then by menstrual function. This physiological period in medicine is called “menopause”. What to do?

Main reasons

According to experts, the reason for the development of this condition lies in changes in hormonal levels, or more precisely, there is a decrease in the production of sex hormones. If we are talking about premature menopause, then doctors identify a number of provoking factors:

life situations that led to severe stress;
removal of the ovaries and uterus;
various types of thyroid diseases;
production of insufficient amounts of hormones by the ovaries;
sexually transmitted infections that were diagnosed during puberty.

What time does menopause begin in women? Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a definite answer to this question, since this period for each woman, depending on genetic predisposition, begins at at different ages.

What stages is menopause divided into?

Experts conditionally divide it into three stages. If every woman has a rough idea about this period, from a psychological point of view it will be much easier for her to endure this time. The whole point is that she will understand what is happening to her right now. This is a very important aspect, which we will consider in more detail below.

Premenopause. What time does menopause begin? This stage occurs in women at approximately 40-45 years of age. Some doctors consider premenopause to be the beginning of menopause. It is characterized by a sharp decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen, which manifests itself in the form and change in the nature of discharge. As a rule, women do not complain of any physical or psychological discomfort.
Menopause. IN specialized literature You can find another name for this stage - “natural menopause in women.” Symptoms and age of women may vary somewhat. This period is characterized by an almost complete stop in estrogen production, which is accompanied by a complete cessation of menstruation.
Postmenopause. This stage occurs approximately a year after menstruation has completely stopped. Its duration, according to experts, depends solely on how quickly the body and endocrine system can adapt to their new state. Postmenopause is insidious in that it can significantly worsen a woman’s health and provoke the development of many diseases (osteoporosis, thyroid pathologies, etc.).

When does menopause begin?

How does menopause begin? First of all, it should be noted that this condition occurs earlier in some women, and later in others, but in most cases at the age of about 45 years. Some ladies believe that the onset of menopause and its average duration are directly related to the intensity of sexual activity and the number of births. They explain this by the fact that childbirth literally “exhausts” the ovaries. That is why for mothers with many children, menopause occurs much earlier and is accompanied by great suffering. However, this statement is incorrect. A large number of children and a pronounced ability to conceive only reflect Good work ovaries and excellent health.

Experts (based on data obtained from numerous experiments) are confident that abuse alcoholic drinks and smoking, as well as promiscuity, most often make themselves felt during menopause in women. The age of women who have entered this physiological period most often does not exceed 45 years.

In medicine there are also concepts of early and late menopause. In the first case, one can expect termination menstrual cycle under the age of 40. As a rule, close relatives of such women also had it. Moreover, women from such families have a late onset of menstruation (18-20 years).

As for (after 50 years), there is no point in being afraid of him. If a woman has no health problems, then experts recommend simply visiting a gynecologist regularly and monitoring her condition.

How does menopause begin?

Doctors identify a number of symptoms that directly accompany this condition. It is important to note that some women experience all Clinical signs, and for others - only a certain part. How difficult it is to experience this condition depends directly on the level of estrogen and the rate of its decline. If previously the hormone levels were not very high and they decreased gradually, most likely the woman will not feel any discomfort. Otherwise, when high level hormones, menopause will not be easy to survive. How is menopause different? Symptoms:

Hot flashes are a feeling of heat and redness of the skin in the head and neck area, which are simultaneously accompanied by sweating. This state can last about five minutes.
Headache.
Insomnia. In fact, this is a very characteristic sign of menopause. Loss of sleep, in turn, provokes nervousness and exhaustion, not only on a physical, but also on a mental level.
Depression also appears during menopause in women. Age plays an important role in this case. The younger the lady, the more pronounced this symptom is. Tears for no reason, bad mood, feeling of complete hopelessness - these are all clear signs of depression.
Changing the usual metabolism. Some women suffer from carbohydrate metabolism disorders, which entails changes in blood sugar and even its appearance in the urine.
Problems with blood circulation. These are hot flashes, numbness in the limbs, a feeling of constant pressure in the chest.
Decreased libido, vaginal dryness, fullness. The breasts lose their usual elasticity. Body weight increases as the effect of the thyroid gland weakens.

Above we have listed only some of the symptoms that most fully characterize how the menopause begins. In reality they may vary somewhat depending on individual characteristics female body.

What complications can you encounter?

According to experts, about 55% of women (45-50 years old) during menopause, in the absence of qualified treatment, face heart disease. At a later age (55-70 years), dysfunction of the urinary tract often appears (ranging from urinary incontinence to inflammatory processes chronic nature).

Many representatives of the fair sex experience osteoporosis, which leads to fractures of large bones. According to available data, by the age of 70, about 40% of women have suffered this type of injury.

The main problem is that a woman has to seek help from completely different specialists (gynecologist, surgeon, therapist, etc.). One has only to imagine that from each doctor she receives 2-3 prescribed medications. As a result, only individual symptoms are treated, and not the primary problem called “menopause.” What to do in this case? Is it possible to alleviate the unpleasant sensations?

What should the treatment be?

First of all, doctors strongly recommend giving up bad habits, add more sports to your life and try to relax more often. It is better to give up the obsession with losing weight. The thing is that for many women, as the menopause begins, it appears excess weight. Subcutaneous fat is known to play a primary role in hormonal metabolism.

In addition, yoga, sauna and massage are the main non-drug ways to combat discomfort. They are recommended for pain and stress relief.

Content

Upon reaching a certain age, the body of every woman undergoes dramatic changes, the nature and duration of which depend on many factors. Menopause is a normal decrease in fertility (ability to reproduce), accompanied by endocrine, physiological, and psycho-emotional changes. According to statistics, about 80% of women suffer from menopause symptoms, so emotional and physical preparation for the onset of menopause is very important.

What is menopause

Menopause (menopause, menopause) is a natural aging process characterized by the decline of reproductive function. As a rule, the first signs of menopause in women appear at 45-50 years of age. Nothing abnormal happens during menopause - this is an absolutely normal phase of the human life cycle. Men also experience this stage at a certain point, but it begins later and is characterized by a milder course.

There are natural menopause (45-55 years), artificial (with violations of the proper functioning of the ovaries and uterus) and premature (30-35 years). The age of menopause and the accompanying symptoms depend on genetic inheritance, lifestyle, the presence of bad habits (especially smoking), and the individual characteristics of the body. Artificial menopause can be caused by irradiation of the pelvic area, early operations and courses of treatment with strong drugs.

Menopause can develop over a long period - several years pass from the onset of the first manifestations to the onset of menopause. During this time, single follicles may be detected in the ovaries, but with age they atrophy and disappear. Menopause includes three stages - premenopause, menopause and postmenopause.

Beginning of menopause (perimenopause)

The average age of onset of premenopause is 45-50 years. In rare cases, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) occurs suddenly, but more often the stage is characterized by a gradual, long-term course (from 2 to 10 years). During premenopause, the development of climacteric syndrome is possible, since the changes that occur are observed not only in the reproductive organs - the bone tissue, nervous and cardiovascular systems are completely rebuilt. The onset of menopause is characterized by the following signs:

Menstruation becomes irregular, at which time there is a high probability of uterine bleeding.
The number of follicles decreases, which reduces the likelihood of conception, but there is still the possibility of getting pregnant during this period.
Due to unstable levels of estrogen (the main female hormone) in the blood, hypersensitivity of the mammary glands may occur.

Menopause

You can talk about the onset of menopause a year after your last menstruation. For most women, this occurs between the ages of 49-55. After the cessation of menstruation, a woman cannot become pregnant naturally. This period is accompanied by the following manifestations:

There is a decrease in size, deformation of the ovaries, eggs are absent or their maturation is impossible.
Due to a decrease in the production of progesterone and estrogen, an imbalance occurs between the hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland. For this reason, a woman suffers from regular hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, and emotional swings.
Due to hormonal imbalances, the likelihood of developing various concomitant pathologies increases - osteoporosis, coronary disease heart, atherosclerosis, etc.

Postmenopause

The last stage begins at 54-56 years of age and lasts 5-6 years. Postmenopause ends with a complete stop of ovarian function. Consequences of menopause that can be expected during this period:

The amount of pubic hair decreases.
The labia majora become deformed, the labia minora gradually disappear completely.
The synthesis of hormones by the ovaries completely stops, estrogen levels remain at a consistently low level.
Vaginal protective lubrication disappears, which contributes to the development of inflammation and infections.
Deep wrinkles appear, body weight increases, and the hair on the head thins and turns grey.
Attention, memory, and vision deteriorate.

What changes occur in a woman’s body during the premenopausal period?

Premenopause is the most important phase of menopause, since at this time dramatic age-related changes begin, the nature of which determines the quality of the next 30-40 years of life. A woman needs to take a responsible attitude towards her health, change her lifestyle, and, if necessary, undergo a course of drug treatment in order to avoid a sharp decline of the ovaries, the inevitable consequence of which is the general aging of the body.

Decreased estrogen levels in the blood

At the beginning of premenopause, there is a decrease in the duration of the follicular phase (menstruation becomes shorter). At this time, the concentration of estrogen and progesterone in the blood decreases significantly. It is noteworthy that the synthesis of male hormones (androgens) remains at the same level, since during menopause a significant part of estrogen is synthesized from male hormones, located mainly in adipose tissue. The production of androgens is influenced by FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) produced by the pituitary gland, the synthesis of which increases at the beginning of menopause.

To determine hormonal levels, the doctor must refer the patient for mandatory blood tests, the results of which can indicate estrogen deficiency. For a complete clinical picture, the patient is recommended to undergo an ultrasound of the uterus and appendages, and mammography. If necessary and strictly under the supervision of a gynecologist, it is possible to adjust the concentration of female hormones using drug therapy.

Circulatory disorders

With age, the vascular walls become thinner and lose their natural elasticity, the heart muscle wears out and gets tired - these and other reasons lead to changes in blood pressure and the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia. Due to the aging of the body and ongoing hormonal changes, blood circulation in all organs is disrupted, which leads to the occurrence of pathologies.

As a rule, premenopause is accompanied by tachycardia (increased heart rate). In addition, a woman may feel tingling in the limbs, dizziness, a feeling of pressure in the chest, suffer from migraines and weakness. Experts say that patients with cardiovascular diseases (especially hypertension) have a more difficult time with the onset of menopause.

Anxiety and mood swings

Hormonal imbalances and the nervous system’s reactions to them lead to anxiety and irritability. In addition, memory problems, decreased concentration, and sudden mood swings are possible. In rare cases, neurotic conditions characterized by obsessive ideas may develop. It is noteworthy that even restrained and calm women react to the onset of menopause with touchiness, tearfulness, even hysteria, but in the later period of menopause, love for life and joy not only return, but also become stronger than at a young age.

The first signs of menopause

The main signs of the onset of menopause in a woman depend on the work of the pituitary gland, which ensures the onset of ovulation and the synthesis of estrogen. The effect of the latter extends not only to reproductive function - estrogen affects the regulation of metabolism, strengthening the muscle corset and bone tissue, the psychological state of a woman, and the functioning of the uterus; therefore, recognizing the onset of menopause is not a problem - the first symptoms of menopause directly depend on estrogen deficiency.

Menstrual irregularities

At the beginning of premenopause, there is a decrease in the duration, frequency and quantity of menstrual flow. Normally, the time between menstruation should increase from 30 to 90 days. Menstruation may disappear suddenly, or it may stop after prolonged amenorrhea (lack of menstruation). In some cases, resumption of discharge is observed even after a long break. If the menstrual cycle is restored after 6 months of delay, there is a possibility of uterine bleeding - in this case, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

Scanty or very heavy discharge

For most women, the amount of monthly discharge gradually decreases at the beginning of menopause, which indicates the cessation of steroid secretion by the ovaries. In rare cases, an increase in the amount of menstruation is possible, which is associated with ovulation disorders. Usually, copious discharge appear after a long delay.

Hot flashes and night sweats

An imbalance of female hormones leads to disruption of the autonomic nervous system. Essentially, hot flashes and excessive sweating are a neuronal response to hormonal surges that occur early in physiological aging. Hot flashes are characterized by heat in the neck, chest, and face. In this case, redness of the skin, increased body temperature, and severe hyperhidrosis (sweating) are observed.

Hot flashes last no longer than a minute, but at the same time cause significant discomfort - body temperature can rise to 38 degrees, the pulse quickens, and perspiration appears. Such attacks occur unexpectedly, with unpredictable frequency (from 10 to 60 times per day). For decreasing discomfort After hot flashes, doctors advise patients to wear several thin layers of clothing so that, if necessary, they can remove the wet layer.

Insomnia

Sleep disturbance is a common complaint at the beginning of menopause. Insomnia occurs due to anxiety, which is a side effect of decreased production of female hormones. In addition, hot flashes and excessive sweating often bother women at night. In addition, a rapid heartbeat along with impaired thermoregulation (chills) are the causes of difficulty falling asleep.

Weight gain

In 60% of women during menopause, metabolic disorders are observed, accompanied by excessive deposition of adipose tissue. This happens due to a decrease in the concentration of estrogen in the blood - this is how the body tries to make up for the lack of the female hormone. Main place of deposition subcutaneous fat– waist and hips. A woman needs to carefully monitor her weight and eat right, since it can be difficult to get rid of the extra pounds gained at the beginning of menopause. In addition, metabolic disorders can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus and oncology.

Decreased libido or increased sexual desire

Decreased sex drive is an inevitable sign of menopause, occurring as a result of hormonal imbalances, psychological reasons or medical problems (urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse). A woman stops feeling young and sexy and becomes fixated on problems. In addition, dryness and loss of elasticity of the vagina affect the occurrence of pain during sex. In rare cases, there is an increase in libido. This is due to the fact that the woman no longer experiences the fear of becoming pregnant and does not suffer from monthly discharge.

Acceleration of skin aging processes and dry mucous membranes

One of the main signs of approaching aging is the progressive dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, due to which new wrinkles appear on the skin and old ones deepen, and the mucous membranes lose their natural protective lubricant. In relation to the genital organs, the onset of menopause is accompanied by itching, pain, and swelling. Then the tissues of the labia lose their elasticity, become brown in color, and the skin resembles parchment. Next, tissue atrophy occurs, accompanied by scarring and narrowing of the vaginal opening.

To alleviate this condition, it is recommended to follow the rules of personal hygiene, wear underwear made from natural fabrics, and wash with a decoction of calendula, chamomile, and a solution of baking soda. Ointments based on anesthesin and diphenhydramine, vaginal suppositories, which contain the necessary hormones, help to significantly relieve the symptoms of dryness (these products should be used only as prescribed by a doctor).

How to ease the symptoms of menopause in women

Treatment of diseases accompanying menopause and improving the quality of life in adulthood is the task of obstetricians and gynecologists. Currently, older women more often turn to therapists and neurologists with problems that gynecologists would help them solve, since during menopause the state of the body largely depends on the lack of estrogen.

To reduce the manifestations of menopausal syndrome, strengthen the immune system, alleviate the patient’s general condition and improve the psycho-emotional background, therapy under the supervision of a specialist is recommended. At the beginning of menopause, non-drug therapy should be carried out, then drug treatment. In some cases, if there is no effect, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. Patients suffering from a severe form of menopausal syndrome may need a full range of therapeutic measures.

Drug therapy

The characteristic signs of the onset of menopause in women will help overcome the use of medications. It should be remembered that relief of symptoms does not mean recovery - with age, the amount of estrogen will decrease, which will inevitably lead to the progression of menopause. All medications(including homeopathic) must be taken strictly as prescribed by a doctor in order to avoid serious hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Combined oral contraceptives

Birth control pills(for example, Regulon, Logest, Marvelon, Novinet) are prescribed during menopause not only to avoid unplanned pregnancy, but also to relieve symptoms. The treatment regimen for oral contraceptives is in most cases the same - 1 tablet daily for 3 weeks, then a break of 7 days. Some oral contraceptives must be taken continuously.

Herbal remedies

Medicines based on natural ingredients containing phytoestrogens are more easily accepted by the body and have a relatively small list side effects. To relieve symptoms at home, you can prepare a mixture of motherwort, valerian and hawthorn, the regular use of which strengthens the nervous system and normalizes sleep. Treatment by official homeopathic remedies more effective than prescriptions traditional medicine. Characteristics of some popular products:

Drug name	Indications for use	Dosage, course
Klimadinon	Vegetative-vascular disorders, menopause	1-2 tablets (or 30 drops) per day, course according to the doctor’s decision
	Menstruation disorders, menopausal syndrome	1 tablet (or 10 drops) up to 3 times a day, course 6 months
	Menopausal syndrome	1 capsule/day, course 3 months
Klimaksan	Menopausal syndrome	1-2 tablets (or 5-10 granules) per day, course 1-2 months

Hormonal drugs

Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most effective methods treatment of menopausal disorders, but also the most dangerous due to the risk of complications. Contraindications for hormonal treatment medicines are endometrial and breast cancer, liver pathologies, thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with the formation of a blood clot). To prescribe such treatment, a comprehensive study of the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and family diseases is necessary. Comparative characteristics popular drugs:

Drug name	Indications for use	Dosage, course
Proginova	Menopausal disorders	1 tablet/day, course 21 days or continuously
Premarin	Estrogen deficiency, menopausal syndrome
	Postmenopause	1 tablet/day, continuously
	Menopausal syndrome	1 tablet/day, course 21 days, break 7 days
	Postmenopause	1 tablet/day, continuously

Vitamin and mineral complexes

Numerous studies have shown that taking vitamins and minerals significantly alleviates the unpleasant symptoms of menopause and helps strengthen the immune system. For example, vitamin C has a positive effect on the walls of blood vessels and relieves swelling, vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the sex glands and improves blood circulation. Preparations with minerals are important for maintaining metabolism and cell repair. Calcium plays a special role in this sense - it not only strengthens bone tissue, but also participates in brain function.

Regular physical activity

Physical activity– the key to successfully overcoming the symptoms of menopause. Fitness, which helps strengthen the heart muscle and increase endurance, and yoga, with which you can increase the flexibility of the body, will help you survive the restructuring of your body. In addition, practicing a sport such as Pilates has a beneficial effect on the muscular corset, which is especially important for protecting bone tissue. Additionally, visiting the pool is recommended to relieve symptoms of dystonia, relax and improve sleep.

Active lifestyle

In addition to regular physical activity, a woman needs to take walks every day fresh air to improve blood circulation, prevent excess weight, strengthen the muscle corset and musculoskeletal system. In addition, race walking, especially in good weather, helps improve mood and relieve psychological stress.

Adjusting your diet

During the changes that accompany the onset of menopause, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy diet to avoid unwanted weight gain and to strengthen the body as a whole. It is recommended to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, while flour products, fatty foods, and spicy seasonings should be abandoned. It will be useful to add seafood and lean fish to your diet.

Content

In the life of any woman there comes a stage when reproductive function declines or menopause (menopause). The duration of this interval depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. The average duration of menopause is 15 months.

What is menopausal syndrome

The physiological period of cessation of menstrual and reproductive functions is often called menopausal syndrome. The reason for the development of this stage is the gradual decrease in the activity and amount of estrogens (sex hormones), which provoke the production of the pituitary hormone. The menopausal period is divided into 3 stages:

Premenopause. Precedes the cessation of menstruation. How long does menopause last at this stage? As a rule, the duration of the stage is from 3 to 7 years.
Actually menopause. The phase that occurs after the end of menstrual bleeding.
Postmenopause. This time is determined by the complete cessation of ovarian function.

Many ladies often wonder how long the menopause lasts? It is impossible to answer this question exactly, because it all depends on individual development body. Although in a normal course, menopause passes within a year. The severity of the symptoms of menopausal syndrome depends on the characteristics of the female body. The main signs of the onset of menopause are:

headache;
sweating;
pressure changes;
apathy;
cardiopalmus;
vaginal dryness;
burning and discomfort when urinating;
itching in the vagina;
frequent urge to urinate;
sleep disturbance;
decreased sex drive.

How long does menopause last in premenopausal women?

It is known that the premenopausal phase is the time preceding the onset of menopause, during which a woman’s production of sex hormones produced by the ovaries decreases. How long does menopause last during premenopause? The average duration of the period is from one year to 7 years. The stage begins after 45 years with a change in the intensity and duration of menstruation. The onset of menopause is a great stress for the adrenal glands, since they are responsible for the independent production of estrogen (without the ovaries). The premenopausal state is accompanied by:

increased sweating;
hot flashes;
rare menstruation;
rapid heartbeat;
itching and dryness of the vagina;
frequent urination.

How long does the menopause last?

The stage when the last menstruation occurs is called menopause. In this phase, the level of progesterone decreases to almost zero, and the ovaries stop producing estrogens. On average, menopause occurs at the age of 50, although some factors (smoking, alcoholism) contribute to its onset 3 or 4 years earlier. The menopausal period lasts from one to three years. As a rule, according to its duration and premenopause, women calculate how long menopause lasts. Changes during menopause can occur like this:

weight increases;
fat deposits appear in the waist area;
frequent dizziness occurs;
the cervix becomes inflamed;
a disease such as osteoporosis appears.

How long does menopause last in postmenopause?

The final period, when the ovaries no longer work, but atrophic changes occur in the uterus, is called postmenopause. Define and state this stage It is possible if you have not had a period for a year. It will last until the end of life. During the postmenopausal period, the production of male hormones may increase; estrone predominates over estradiol, so there is a possible risk of developing tumors. Main symptoms:

sleep disturbance;
tides;
mood swings;
sweating;
emotional swings.

How does menopause occur in women?

Changes in hormonal levels affect the physical and psychological state of a woman. Half of the female population experiences menopause easily, but the remaining 50% may experience pain and discomfort. At the same time, no one can accurately determine how long menopause lasts in women, since the occurrence of menopause is influenced by genetic factors, habits, and working conditions. But the symptoms are almost always the same:

skin redness;
hot flashes;
decreased libido;
profuse sweating;
chills;
headache;
increased irritability;
insomnia.

Changes in the menstrual cycle

The regularity of menstruation during menopause and how it progresses directly depends on the functioning of the female body, her health, environmental conditions, previous operations, etc. For each woman, this process proceeds differently. At first, the discharge is irregular, disruptions may occur, and then menstruation stops altogether. The delay period can reach several months. Menstruation during menopause can occur in several ways:

The cessation is gradual. The discharge is scanty, the interval between cycles becomes longer. This condition can last from one to three years.
Abrupt cessation of menstruation. It may be painless.
Resumption of discharge after a long period. Gradually, the break will become longer and menstruation will completely stop.

How long do hot flashes last during menopause?

Many women tolerate menopausal syndrome easily, without experiencing any particular discomfort or pain. However, some representatives of the fairer sex do not feel well during menopause. The most common symptoms of the onset of menopause are considered to be hot flashes, which cause serious physical and psychological discomfort to a woman. Hot flashes are a momentary feeling of warmth, accompanied by heat and sweating. The cause of their occurrence is the dilation of blood vessels near the surface of the skin.

The duration and intensity of hot flashes in different women depends on individual characteristics. Some may experience them only for one year, others do not feel any discomfort at all, and others have to put up with them for many years. The duration of such phenomena can be from one to 2 minutes, in rare cases up to an hour. Gradually, the severity of such ailments decreases.

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Menopause in women is a natural physiological stage in the life of every woman, when, against the background of natural hormonal age-related changes, signs of involution of the reproductive system appear. IN different sources, climacteric restructuring, lasts up to 10 years. Proper organization of life, special diet, psychological help, in some cases, drug therapy creates a decent quality of life for a woman experiencing temporary difficulties.

Let's take a closer look at what it is, at what age menopause occurs and what are the characteristic signs for it, as well as what is most often prescribed to a woman as a treatment to restore hormonal levels.

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural physiological process of transition of the female body from the reproductive phase with regular menstrual cycles to the phase of complete cessation of menstruation. The word “menopause” comes from the Greek “klimax” - a ladder, expressing symbolic steps leading from the flowering of specific female functions to their gradual extinction.

On average, the onset of menopause in women occurs at the age of 40-43 years. However, there may be cases where they begin at 35 and 60 years of age. Therefore, doctors distinguish separately such concepts as “early menopause” and “late.”

In some women, menopause has a physiological course and does not cause pathological disorders; in others, the pathological course leads to the development of menopausal (menopausal) syndrome.

Menopausal syndrome during menopause in women occurs with a frequency of 26 – 48% and is characterized by a complex of various disorders of the functions of the endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular systems, which often disrupts the normal functioning and ability of a woman to work.

Periods of menopause

There are several important periods during menopause:

Premenopause	It begins when the first sign of menopause appears and continues until the last menstrual bleeding. This stage occurs in women after the age of 40. It is characterized by a decrease in the body's production of estrogen, which manifests itself in the form of irregular menstruation, changes in the nature of discharge (they can increase or decrease). This stage does not cause any physical or psychological severe discomfort. It can last up to 10 years.
Menopause	Last menstruation. True menopause is considered if after the last menstruation there have been no more menstruation periods for a year. Some experts consider it more correct to calculate menopause after 1.5 or even 2 years.
Postmenopause	At the third stage, hormonal changes finally end, the ovaries completely stop producing hormones, the level of estrogen is steadily reduced by 50% of the level of the reproductive phase. The age-related involution of the body continues. This is early postmenopause (1 - 2 years). All organs whose functioning depends on sex hormones are subject to gradual hypotrophic changes. For example, it is noted: reduction in the amount of pubic hair, the uterus becomes smaller in size, changes occur in the mammary glands.

Issues regarding the quality of life of women during menopause are quite acute and relevant. In this case, special attention is paid to the following parameters: physical and mental well-being, social and role functioning, as well as a general objective perception of the state of one’s health.

There are several types of menopause:

premature (after 30 and before 40 years);
early (from 41 to 45 years);
timely, considered the norm (45-55 years);
late (after 55 years).

Premature and late menopause are usually a pathology. After examination and clarification of the causes of deviations from the norm, treatment is prescribed. With the timely onset of menopause, in some cases, only relief of accompanying symptoms is required.

Causes

Menopause is a genetically programmed transformation of the female body, during which reproductive function declines. The ovaries rapidly reduce the production of sex hormones, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and the likelihood of egg fertilization by sperm decreases every year.

For most women, the starting point for the onset of menopause is taken to be 45 years of age, coinciding with the appearance of the first clinical manifestations menopause. As a rule, after three or five years (that is, by the age of 50), the menstrual function finally ends, and the menopause clinic becomes brighter.

Early menopause is the process by which menopausal symptoms begin to appear before the age of forty. It can occur either at fifteen or at thirty-nine. The main reason is impaired hormonal regulation, as a result of which menstruation is very irregular.

There are inherited and acquired causes of early menopause.

Genetic causes of early menopause:

Defect of the female X chromosome.
Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome.
Ovarian dysfunction under the influence of the 3 X chromosome.
Other hereditary disorders

Acquired causes of early menopause:

Hormonal diseases (thyroid gland, others);
Gynecological diseases, including infectious;
Chemotherapy;
Obesity;
Attrition()
Not rational hormonal contraception;

At what age do women begin menopause?

The timing of menopause varies from person to person; a woman’s last menstruation is called menopause, which occurs on average at the age of 50. If this occurs before the age of 45, menopause is considered early; before the age of 40, it is considered premature.

Each woman’s ovaries are genetically endowed with a certain number of follicles, and the time of onset of menopausal syndrome depends on this.

The fact is that female hormones have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole and women with late menopause have a healthier heart and blood vessels, often smooth and clean skin, healthy hair and teeth.

But late menopause also has significant disadvantages. For example, in such women the risk of developing cancer is several times increased. They are advised to undergo examinations every six months for the presence of neoplasms in the body.

How menopause begins: the first signs

Menstruation is often delayed and irregular. Their abundance and duration are several times stronger than usual.
Sweat occurs too often and in large quantities, and there is a constant feeling of heat.
There is discomfort and unpleasant dryness in the vaginal opening.
Constant sleep disturbance.
Mood changes dramatically, frequent depression.
Feeling of restlessness and causeless anxiety.
Blood pressure also changes sharply.

Symptoms of menopause in women

Menopause can occur in women at different ages. Moreover, if necessary, treatment is selected taking into account the symptoms, which can also be different and have varying degrees of severity.

Symptoms of menopause:

Menstruation stops being regular, shorten and become less abundant in discharge in most cases; in a third of women, on the contrary, they become more intense.
Unreasonable mood swings, tendency to irritability, depression, tearfulness, aggressiveness, negativism.
Headaches: dull, present in the back of the head in the morning; migraine-like conditions; sharp and strong, localized in the temples and forehead.
Tides. Impaired thermoregulation and increased feelings of heat are the main signs of menopause. At first, such complaints may last for a short period of time, but over time their appearance and intensity only increase.
Sleep disturbance . Some women may experience insomnia, while others, on the contrary, may experience increased sleepiness. It is better not to solve sleep problems on your own with the help of medications, but to consult a doctor.
Fluctuations in the level of female sex hormones during menopause are manifested by soreness of the mammary glands, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen and emotional swings.
Metabolic and endocrine disorders. Women during menopause often experience a change in eating behavior, an improvement or deterioration in appetite, an increase in body weight, and fluid retention in the body, leading to the formation of edema.
Chest pain. Pain in the mammary gland can be cyclical or non-cyclical. Cyclic pain coincides with the time of menstruation during the childbearing period. However, for women over 45, such pain is a sign of hormonal disorders.
When the premenopausal period begins, almost all representatives of the fair sex complain of decreased sexual desire and libido, the inability to achieve orgasm, as well as dryness of the inner walls of the vagina. This process is naturally associated with the partial or complete disappearance of female hormones from the body.
Vaginal dryness. The symptom is usually accompanied by itching and causes pain during sexual intercourse. It occurs as a result of changes in the structure of the vaginal mucosa under the influence of hormones. At the same time, there is also a decrease in sexual desire.

Other manifestations of menopause include:

changes in taste preferences and sensations;
dryness of the oral mucosa;
painful sensations in joints, bones and muscles;
shortness of breath, tachycardia;
migraine;
visual disturbances (soreness and dryness in the eyes).

All unpleasant symptoms disappear after the immediate onset of menopause.

Menopause is not a quick process, it develops over a long period of time. Typically, menopause itself occurs only a couple of years after the first symptoms appear.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of menopause occurs primarily on the basis of patient complaints, which appear as menopause approaches. The presence of any concomitant diseases complicates diagnosis, since under them the symptoms of menopause may not be recognized, and the health condition may worsen. Consultations with an endocrinologist, neurologist and, of course, a cardiologist are indicated.

During the consultation, the doctor will ask questions:

age when menstrual irregularities began, when was the last menstruation, the nature of menstruation,
what symptoms are bothering you?
whether your close female relatives have had cancer of the breast or internal genital organs,
undergone operations.

Mandatory gynecological examination and laboratory tests:

Blood test for estrogen content,
Study of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone,
Histological analysis of the endometrium of the uterus,
Cytological examination of a vaginal smear,
Basal temperature measurement,
Detection of anovular cycles,
Ultrasound examination of the pelvis and abdominal cavity.

Why is menopause diagnostics needed?

Planning for late pregnancy;
differential diagnosis of menopause and other diseases;
identification of complications and diseases associated with menopause;
examination before prescribing hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives.

Treatment

Menopause is a natural state at the appropriate age. But it is fraught with the threat of new diseases, including tumors, endocrine disorders, etc. However, when a woman has a hard time with menopause, treatment is necessary. Even if its manifestations do not cause much discomfort, regular visits to the gynecologist should be maintained.

Treatment may include the following:

homeopathy;
herbal medicine and traditional methods allowing to stabilize hormonal levels;
hormonal therapy;
treatment of concomitant diseases, newly emerging or chronic in an acute form;
the use of bioactive food supplements in the form of pills or tablets during menopause, for example, Bonisan.

proper nutrition with plenty of fruits and vegetables (food fortified with vitamins);
mandatory presence in daily diet dairy products (cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, sour cream, etc.);
exclusion of fatty, spicy and salty foods;
giving up bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
fitness classes, gymnastics, recreational exercise or daily walks in the fresh air, on foot or by bike;
reduce the consumption of tea and coffee, which are better replaced with herbal tea;
take vitamins;
wear clothes made from natural fabrics;
observe the rules of personal hygiene.

Medicines for menopause

The first thing a woman needs to do during the menopausal period is to consult a local gynecologist for advice. After diagnosis, the specialist prescribes medications for menopause, which reduce the number of hot flashes, normalize the sleep phase, and remove increased irritability.

Hormone replacement therapy. According to experts, the most adequate method of treating menopausal syndrome is hormone replacement therapy. Its use is advisable if a woman during menopause begins to experience complications such as:

cardiovascular pathologies,
central obesity,
pronounced,
diabetes mellitus type II, etc.

Hormone therapy as a treatment for menopause pathology is contraindicated in patients suffering from:

endometrial, ovarian, breast cancer;
coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder);
liver dysfunction;
thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis;
uterine bleeding of unknown cause;
renal failure.

Non-hormonal agents(Qi-Klim, Estrovel, Klimadinon). If for some reason hormonal therapy is contraindicated for the patient, then drugs based on natural plant phytoestrogens are used. These are biologically active food additives. Their activity is significantly lower than that of hormones, but safety is higher and there are almost no side effects.

In addition to hormones, a number of other medications are prescribed: vitamins, herbal medicines, calcium preparations (for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis), tranquilizers, antidepressants, biphosphates, nootropics and others. The advisability of using certain medications during menopause is determined by the attending physician.

Proper nutrition

Despite the unpleasant symptoms that accompany menopause in women, when prescribing the correct treatment and following the principles healthy image life, you can significantly reduce the severity of the main symptoms. When reaching the age of menopause, attention should be paid to proper nutrition.

Proper nutrition during menopause is based on the following rules:

it is necessary to reduce portions, but increase the number of meals up to 5-6 times;
you should eat regularly at the same time;
you need to drink up to two liters of clean water;
dishes should be steamed, in the oven or stewed, but under no circumstances fried (a frying pan is taboo);
as many vegetables and fruits as possible should be consumed raw;
eliminate or minimize salt intake;
exclude “harmful” foods from the diet and include a wide range of “healthy” ones.

When choosing foods for your diet, you need to ensure that your body gets vitamins and minerals. Especially vitamins A, E, D and C, group B, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

It is necessary to severely limit or remove the following foods and dishes from the diet:

salt, sugar;
semi-finished products, fast food;
lard, fatty meat, lard, margarine, spread;
alcohol;
sausages, smoked meats, offal;
coffee, chocolate, cocoa, sweets;
hot spices;
sweet soda, packaged juices.

Menu for the day

It is advisable to start the day with a cup of clean, cool water, drunk on an empty stomach. The menu of a woman who has entered menopause may look like this.

Breakfast - oatmeal with bran and raisins.
Second breakfast - salad with fruits and nuts.
Lunch - chicken soup and seaweed salad.
Afternoon snack - baked apples with low-fat cottage cheese.
Dinner - boiled fish and vegetable salad.

In between meals, it is permissible to eat dried fruits and drink various juices.

Folk remedies

When treating hot flashes, headaches and other manifestations of menopause, traditional medicine is successfully used: plant decoctions, herbal soothing baths.

Soothing herbal bath. 10 tbsp. l mixture of calamus root, thyme, yarrow, oregano, sage, pine buds is brewed in a bucket of water until cool, filtered and added to the container. A 10-minute procedure will be enough;
Rhodiola rosea. Alcohol tincture (pharmacy) of Rhodiola is taken 15 drops diluted in 20 ml drinking water before breakfast and before lunch.
To prepare an infusion of oregano 2 tablespoons of the plant are poured into 400 ml of boiling water and infused in a thermos. Take half a glass of the drink several times a day 30 minutes after meals. This decoction is especially effective for neuroses that arise during menopause.
Lemon. Grind the lemons (with peel) in a meat grinder. Shell 5 chicken eggs grind to a powder. Mix and let brew for 7 days. Take 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon for a month.
Hawthorn. 3 tbsp. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over spoons of hawthorn flowers. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
Teas will help relieve irritability and drinks based on mint, lemon balm, St. John's wort and oregano. These medicinal herbs have a powerful antidepressant effect and will help get rid of nervous tension.
Valerian helps relieve emotional stress and improve sleep. The decoction is prepared according to the recipe given above. You need to take 100 ml in the morning and evening.
Sage juice will help cope with high pressure. To do this, you need to take 20 ml three times a day for three weeks.

Diseases that occur during menopause

When discussing menopause in women, symptoms, age, treatment, we should consider in detail diseases that arise under the influence of changes in hormonal levels.

Estrogens are needed for more than just fertility. Throughout reproductive age, these hormones protect a woman from various diseases, strengthening almost all structures in the body. When estrogen levels begin to decline during menopause, many systems are affected.

Osteoporosis	With this disease, bone density decreases, their microarchitecture is disrupted, fragility increases, as a result of which the risk of fractures significantly increases. Osteoporosis is caused by a change in the functioning of building cells, which occurs against the background of a change in the balance of hormones.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels	Menopause has a serious impact on the circulatory system - all organs suffer, from the heart to the smallest vessels. After menopause, the risk of the following diseases increases: cardiac ischemia; hypertension; sclerosis. Most often, menopause leads to an increase in blood pressure, which can become persistent and develop into hypertension. This is observed, together with different types arrhythmias, in almost a third of women who have reached menopause
	Myoma may be different sizes, single or multiple. It often occurs against the background of menopause, and after menopause, small myomatous nodes are able to resolve on their own.
	During menopause, dermoid, endometrioid and other types of non-functional cysts often appear, as well as ovarian cysts.
Frequent urination	The urinary system, which is connected by reverse processes with the reproductive system, is also susceptible to structural changes. Frequent urge for little need at night, periodic infections, and other unpleasant pathologies will haunt a woman who does not care about preserving her own health.

Prevention

Preventive measures aimed at preventing the early onset of menopausal changes include:

Regular examination by relevant specialists - every 6 months.
Timely treatment of pathological processes that arise in the endocrine and gynecological organ systems.
Correct attitude towards taking hormone-containing drugs.
General hardening.
Balanced diet.
Moderate physical activity.
Regular sexual intercourse.

At the first signs of menopause, be sure to go to a gynecologist and endocrinologist for a consultation. Take care of yourself, we wish you good health and good health!

Today we will tell you how menopause manifests itself. Let us describe the symptoms of this period in a woman’s life.

Her body is designed in such a way that it is constantly subject to hormonal changes. First of all, this is the menstrual cycle. Every month a woman experiences different phases of it. Her mood depends on what phase the girl is in. Everyone knows that during the premenstrual period a woman becomes irritable and in a bad mood. For example, during the period of ovulation, she tries to please everyone, especially males. All these are consequences of the action of secreted hormones.

Another serious challenge for a woman is pregnancy. During this period, a restructuring of the entire female body occurs. Doctors recommend that close relatives, and especially the husband, be patient with the woman, show her signs of attention, you just need to wait out this period of time. Since a woman is carrying a child, it is necessary to be understanding of her mood swings, possible hysterics and depression. After giving birth, a girl also goes through a difficult period, as postpartum depression may begin at this time. And so throughout life. It's no secret that women experience menopause in old age. Everyone knows about him, of course. But they often find themselves unprepared for how menopause manifests itself. Although it is very important to take care of your health during this period. It is better if a woman is prepared in advance for changes in her body so that she can control the state of her health.

At what age does menopause appear?

Before describing the symptoms, it is necessary to highlight the period when exactly these changes occur in a woman’s life. There is no specific age when this period begins. Therefore, it can begin any time after age 40. It is better if a woman knows how menopause manifests itself. It should be said right away that the lady is guaranteed to be in an uncomfortable state.

First symptoms

So, how does menopause manifest itself? What are the symptoms of this period in a woman’s life? At such times, hot flashes occur in the body. What it is? Hot flashes are a condition when blood rushes to the vessels and a woman experiences heat in the upper body. This condition does not last long and recedes almost immediately. Some women experience hot flashes several times a day. For example, every hour or every 30 minutes. And for others it may be once a day. Hot flashes can also occur at night. This leads to the woman waking up sweating. She may not be able to sleep afterwards. If hot flashes are frequent, they lead to the woman not getting enough sleep. And as a result, she feels tired and overwhelmed. Hot flashes are also characterized by sweating. Sweat appears on the face and hands. All this looks unsightly and is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

How does the onset of menopause manifest itself? The first symptom is poor sleep. As mentioned above, the quality of sleep is disrupted by hot flashes that occur in the body. Moreover, it was revealed that the woman wakes up before this process begins. Since women are characterized by emotionality, they cannot sleep because of their worries. And if hot flashes are frequent, then you won’t be able to rest at all at night. Also, during menopause, poor sleep is noted, which is not associated with hot flashes.

How does menopause manifest itself in women? Head pain appears. They are frequent during menopause. There may be several reasons for this condition. Firstly, headaches are associated with overexertion. The hormonal background of the female body changes. Therefore, the mood changes. It happens that a woman may become depressed or be in a bad mood. It happens that she doesn’t like everything, it’s impossible to please, and so on. Being in this state, a woman cannot physically relax, and this affects the muscles of the neck and shoulder region. As a result, headaches occur. Secondly, menopause is accompanied by migraines. With them, the head hurts in the temple area. Migraines are especially common in women who had them before menopause. Sometimes the pain is so strong that darkening occurs in the eyes.

Unstable emotional background

If we talk about how the onset of menopause manifests itself in women, then, as with other hormonal changes, mood swings are noted. There are bursts of good, cheerful mood, which can suddenly give way to irritability and even crying.

There are women who understand the reason for the changes and can control themselves. Some people cope on their own. Others fight by taking special medications. It’s worse when a woman doesn’t understand what’s causing her bad mood and blames others. Communicating with such a special person will not bring pleasure to anyone. Another sign of menopause is a lump in the throat that goes away after some time.

Decreased concentration

During menopause, a woman experiences forgetfulness, absent-mindedness, and lack of concentration. A similar condition occurs during pregnancy and is associated with hormonal levels body. A woman can completely forget about something. She does this unconsciously, without any intent. In such a situation, the habit of writing down necessary tasks or setting reminders in your mobile devices will help out.

Deterioration of the microflora of the genital organs

The most unpleasant factor of menopause is the lack of sufficient lubrication in the vagina.

Especially during sexual intercourse, this symptom causes discomfort. Pain and itching may also occur. This problem can be eliminated using special drugs.

Urinary dysfunction

During menopause, some women experience disruption of the urinary organs. This is another sign of how menopause manifests itself in the body. Firstly, you have to go to the toilet more often. Women are bothered by a frequent urge to urinate. Secondly, urine may be leaked involuntarily when laughing, coughing, or for no reason. This situation has a depressing effect on many ladies. Bad mood, and can cause depression in a woman. Therefore, it is important not to bring yourself to a state of depression, but to consult a doctor in time and take measures to stabilize the body’s condition.

Menstrual irregularities

The above symptoms are the first sign of a climatic period. The next manifestation of menopause will be menstrual irregularities. At first, the discharge becomes irregular and scanty, and then stops appearing. During this period, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Therefore, during this period it is necessary to protect yourself.

It should be said that several years may pass from the appearance of hot flashes and other signs of menopause to the onset of menopause.

Medical care, hormonal drugs and contraindications to their use

If a woman notices symptoms of menopause, she needs to see a doctor. The doctor will prescribe the necessary medications to treat menopause and for contraception.

Usually, hormonal medications are prescribed that bring the body back to normal and eliminate the symptoms of menopause. The doctor must also select the most suitable contraceptives. It should be said that since menopause does not occur at a young age, hormonal therapy is not suitable for all women. It is necessary to take into account the individual health status of the body. There are a number of contraindications when taking hormones. These include:

1. Heart diseases.
2. Pathologies of the intestines and stomach.
3. Endometriosis.
4. Diseases of the excretory system.

Therefore, before prescribing hormonal drugs, the doctor will inquire about the presence of the above diseases. He will also prescribe the necessary examination based on the test results.

Conclusion

Now it’s clear how menopause manifests itself in women. Modern medicine is developing at a rapid pace. Therefore, now there is an opportunity to support your body during menopause. Women are advised not to fall into despair and not to overwhelm themselves with negative thoughts. And contact a gynecologist and carry out the treatment prescribed by him. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, menopause will go smoothly, without much worry.