MENOPAUSE - BOON OR BANE
Why God , why? Why do we girls get periods! Why cant there be bleeding for just one day? Oh these pains , wish I was a boy! I don't like these periods , and I wish I did not have them at all ! These are the series of thoughts that each and every young girl goes through when she thinks about her menses. But I am sure that after reading this blog many of us are going to be thankful for our regular menses.
So what exactly is Menopause?
Cessation of menses for complete one year and thereafter is called as Menopause . It occurs around the age of 45-50 years. The process of Menopause is long and can be exhausting for women. Even though it is said that menopause is cessation of menses for complete one year , then too the process of menopause begins 3-4 years prior and this period is called as Perimenopause.
Lets get to the crux of the topic that is what are the actual signs and symptoms which are experienced by females during the period of Menopause.
1) HOT FLUSHES - This symptom is the hallmark of the menopausal process. It can be the first symptom to be experienced by the females. It is a feeling of hotness , that is extreme heat experienced by the female which lasts for about 2-5 mins followed by severe sweating. It usually occurs at night and results in disturbed sleep which can then lead to irritability and mental depression.
2)LIBIDO - Libido is a persons overall sexual desire . During the period of menopause many women can have an increased libido as there is no fear of getting pregnant due to complete cessation of menses , whereas on the other hand many women can have decreased sexual desire due to the other complaints that come up with menopause such as
a) Dry vagina which can lead to pain while having intercourse.
b) Urinary incontinence , that is leakage of urine while performing strenuous activity and this can lead to feeling of embarrassment while performing intercourse.
3)CHANGES IN URINARY SYSTEM AND GENITALS - The main hormone which contributes to half of the functioning of the female body is Estrogen and this hormone is the one which is decreased during menopause. Deficiency in estrogen can lead to dysuria that is painful or difficult urination , infection of urinary tract , urinary incontinence about which I have already discussed in my previous blog.
In the vagina usually there is secretion which keeps it moist and provides lubrication while performing sexual activity , but during menopause the vagina becomes dry and hot and this leads to painful intercourse. There can be increased and repeated vaginal infections which can cause vaginal bleeding.
4) OTHER EFFECTS DUE TO DEFIENCENCY OF ESTROGEN
OSTEOPOROSIS - In this condition the bones start losing its mass and density which results in easy fractures of the bones. Many of the times you might have noticed your mother's or elderly women in the house complaining regarding constant pain and aches in the bones ,this can be a sign of osteoporosis which is due to decreased estrogen levels.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE - Estrogen helps in maintaining good cholesterol levels in the body and lowers bad cholesterol levels and protects the heart , but due to decrease in the level of estrogen the heart is now exposed to increased levels of bad cholesterol which can lead to ARTHEROSCLEROSIS , ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE ,AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.
The chances of having a stroke also increases.
SKIN - Estrogen is said to be the most powerful ingredient when it comes to maintaining healthy and glowing skin. But unfortunately due to decreased levels the skin starts to wrinkle and starts thinning out.
MENOPAUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Growing old can be a major life turning event for few women. Even at younger age many of us go through birthday blues because we are not ready to get old , we are not ready to give up these enthusiastic and fit bodies , and when not mentally prepared some women during the period of menopause can go through an emotional rollercoaster.
These emotions are usually connected to the physical level , which means due to the complaints present at physical level a female can suffer mentally.
Due to wrinkled skin and thinning of the skin the forever feminine beauty concept is destroyed and many women cannot take this change positively , which can lead to irritability , depression embarrassment , loss of self confidence and mood swings. Many women start developing anxiety , palpitations which can lead to lack of sleep which in turn again leads to mood wings and irritability.
Many women have increased sexual desire , but due to physical symptoms such as dry and hot vagina it becomes difficult to perform sexual activity and this can lead to a sense of frustration.
OTHER SYMPTOMS -
Loss of memory
Poor sleep
Lack of interest in day to day activities
Too much sleep or no sleep at all.
OVERCOMING MENOPAUSE AND ITS EFFECTS.
1)EAT FOODS CONTAINING PHYTOESTROGENS
As we know that during the period of menopause there is deficiency of hormone estrogen which leads to many symptoms and conditions . So why not try and maintain levels of estrogens in the body by eating foods which contain higher amount of phytoestrogens.
Foods rich in phytoestrogen include- Soya bean
Flaxseeds
Sesame seeds
Beans
Dried fruits - prunes , dried apricots and dates
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Tofu
2) INCREASE INTAKE OF CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D FOODS
Foods such as yogurt , milk , tofu , beans , spinach have a lot of calcium in them , and this will help in regaining the strength in our bones.
Sunlight is the main source of Vit.D so take up as much as sunlight and if not possible Vit.D supplements can be taken.
3) MAINTAIN HEALTHY WEIGHT .
Working out regularly and keeping your weight in check can reduce the chances of many heart conditions , and lower levels of insulin which may help overcome the tired feeling and fatigue.
4) INCREASE WATER INTAKE.
The dryness which women complain of during the period of menopause can be controlled by increasing water intake.
WARNING SIGNS
1)Postmenopausal Bleeding
In postmenopausal bleeding even after complete cessation of menses for a year or two , if the woman starts bleeding again within 6 months it should be taken as a warning because it can indicate malignancy of genital tract.
PAP SMEAR - This is a test every women should undergo after reaching the menopausal age and even after menopause has set in. It should be given importance just like your other routine health check -ups. Pap Smear Test should be done every 3 years as it can rule out cervical malignancy and treatment can be started as soon as possible.
2) LATE MENOPAUSE
Menopause is considered late when menses are present even after 52 years of age.
Late menopause can be a sign of good nutrition , but it can even indicate
1) Uterine Fibroids
2)Uterine Malignancy
3) Breast Cancer
3) Endometrial Cancer
4) Ovarian Cancer.
Thankyou ☺️
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