The menopause is sometimes known as the ‘change of life’ and is marked by the ending of menstruation (when a woman’s periods stop).
A woman’s periods do not usually stop suddenly. They generally become less frequent, the odd period is missed and then they stop altogether.
When it Happens
In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 52. A woman is said to have reached the menopause once she has not had a period for one year. After this point, she can be described as post-menopausal. If the menopause occurs in a woman who is under 45 years of age, it is known as premature menopause. It is estimated that premature menopause affects 1% of women under the age of 40 and 0.1% of women under the age of 30.
What Happens?
During the time leading up to the menopause (perimenopause), the hormonal and biological changes that are associated with the menopause begin. As a result of these hormonal changes, many women experience both physical and emotional symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats and irritability.
The menopause is the end of egg production (ovulation). This occurs as a result of falling levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen, which regulates a woman’s periods.
Treatments
Most women reach the menopause without seeking medical advice. However, treatments are available that can ease menopausal symptoms that are severe or distressing Only 1 in 10 women seek medical advice when they go through the menopause and many do not need any treatment. However, if your menopausal symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, there are treatments that can help.
The treatment options are:
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- tibolone (similar to HRT)
- clonidine
- vaginal lubricants
- antidepressants
The kind of treatment you can take depends on your symptoms, medical history and your own preferences.
HRT and tibolone do not provide contraceptive protection, and although your fertility decreases during the menopause, it may still be possible for you to conceive. Therefore, continue to use contraception:
- for one year after your last period if you are over 50 years of age
- for two years after your last period if you are under 50 years of age
Complementary Therapies
There are many unlicensed complementary therapies available for menopausal symptoms, but there is no medical evidence that any of them are effective. These treatments, which may contain products such as soya, red clover, black cohosh and ginseng, can be potentially harmful.
There is very little control over the quality of the products used in complementary therapies, and their long-term safety has not been assessed. They may have unpleasant side effects and can interfere with other medications. Therefore, it is not recommended that you use any complementary therapies for menopausal symptoms.
Menopause Myths
- You cannot get pregnant after the menopause – FALSE. It can and does happen, so carry on using contraception for two years after your last period if you are under 50 and for one year if you are over 50.
- You are going to put on weight – FALSE. Middle-age spread is often linked to the hormonal changes at this time of life but, as yet, there is no proof of this. Those extra inches could just be part of growing older and being less active.
- Your menopause will be difficult because your mum’s was – FALSE. There is no evidence that this is the case, although the age at which your mum went through the menopause could give you a clue as to when to expect symptoms. This is because the age of menopause tends to be similar in mothers and daughters.
This article was taken in part from http://www.dh.gov.uk/
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
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