Stay Tuned On Menopause
August 18, 2009
Menopause is a very natural phenomenon occurring in every women. There is no need to feel concerned about the onset of menopause. You should stay informed about the situation act accordingly.
You could be treated with low estrogen provided there is no health risk due to the drugs. Menopause is the time when a woman does not have her menstrual period as the eggs are no longer released from the ovaries. A woman is said to be having menopause when she has not had her periods for one full year.
The general age is between forty and fifty eight years, the average age of menopause being 51 years.
The process of menopause is a gradual process. The ovaries produce less amount of hormones and this stage prior to the menopause is peri menopause. If menopause occurs before forty years it is called premature menopause. Premature menopause can occur in many cases.
Premature menopause can happen if there is a history of such menopause, due to some auto immune diseases, due to smoking, due to some surgery in the pelvic region, the removal of ovaries, and also after chemotherapy. This can also happen due to the intake of medicines that lower the level of oestrogen.
For a menopause at the usual age there is no risk factor. But if there is a premature menopause, there may be a few symptoms. Women who enter menopause often have irregular bleeding symptoms, night sweats, hot flushes, insomnia, depression and anxiety. There could be leaking of urine, headaches, less interest in sexual intercourse, loss of memory in some cases, joint aches, fatigue.
Since Menopause is a natural process that happens with a woman’s aging, there is no risk factor involved. But with premature menopause there could be some factors involved. In the case of a hysterectomy before a menopause and the periods no longer happen, then there could be a cause for an early menopause. This can be done by an FSH Test.
This is the most important test for menopause diagnosis. The follicle stimulating hormone is measured through this test. High levels of the follicle stimulating hormone which is usually greater than 40 indicates menopause.
A good intake of plant estrogens called phytoestrogens can help better the condition of menopausal women. These are found in whole grains, black cohosh, legumes, tempeh, soybeans and flax seed. These would help prevent the diseases that are generally associated with estrogen. A healthy diet during the menopause would help prevent heart diseases, cancers and osteoporesis.
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