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WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

 

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation and is confirmed after one year of missed periods.  This time in a women’s life signifies the end of the reproductive years and usually occurs in nature around age 51.  This timing, like the beginning of menstruation, is individual. With an aging population and longer life expectancy, today’s woman can expect to live nearly 1/3 of her life after menopause (Lowdermilk, Perry & Bobak, 2000).

 

 

SO, WHAT CAUSES THIS “CHANGE OF LIFE?”

 

The process of menopause actually starts 3-5 years before the last menstrual period.

 

This phase is referred to as perimenopause, or the climacteric.  At this time, the ovaries slow in the production of estrogen. This has an affect on the individual’s health and well being for the rest of her life. Declining levels of estrogen may even occur in a woman’s 30’s (Lowdermilk, Perry & Bobak, 2000).

 

 

SURGICAL MENOPAUSE

 

A woman may experience sudden menopause if she has both ovaries removed surgically. She then has a risk of encountering more difficult menopausal symptoms than the woman who experiences it naturally.  With the removal of one ovary, menopause usually happens in its own time (Black, Hawks & Keene, 2001).

 

 

LET’S TAKE A LOOK…

 

 The picture below illustrates the reproductive organs before (left) and after (right) menopause. Observe that the tissues on the right are smaller due to decreased estrogen and progesterone production.

     Left      Right

 

 

 

SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

 

˜Hot flashes                 

˜Gum problems

˜Mood swings               

˜Vaginal dryness

˜Hair loss 

˜Depression

˜Irritability                

˜Breast tenderness

˜Loss of libido

˜Weight gain

˜Anxiety            

˜Changes in body odor

˜Increased muscle tension

˜Headache

˜Memory lapse             

˜Burning tongue

˜Dry skin                     

˜Urinary problems

˜Osteoporosis              

˜Rapid heart beat

˜Itchy skin                  

˜Fatigue

˜Tingling in the extremities

˜Bloating

˜Aching joints              

˜ Dizziness

˜GI distress                 

˜Stress Incontinence

 

(Lowdermilk, Perry & Bobak, 2000)

 

 

                                                                                                         

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