Menopause

 Menopause is a natural and normal part of the aging process. It marks the end of the reproductive years. A Female is said to have menopause  when she doesn't get menses for 12 consecutive months . Menopause, when it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is considered “natural” and is a normal part of aging. On an average, menopause happens at the age of 52. 

Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is called "early menopause " . Menopause that occurs at 40 or younger is considered" premature menopause ".

If it doesn’t happen because of any type of medical treatment or surgery, the process is gradual and happens in three stages:

Perimenopause or “menopause transition:” Perimenopause can begin eight to 10 years before menopause when the ovaries gradually produce less and less estrogen. Many ladies begin feeling symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause.

Menopause: Menopause is the point when menstrual periods stop completely . At this stage, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing much of the estrogen. Unlike the other stages, menopause itself is a defined moment, when there are no menses for 12 consecutive months.

Postmenopause: This is the time  immediately after the menopause . This stage lasts for the rest of the female 's life. While most symptoms of menopause ease up gradually in postmenopause, one can continue to have mild menopausal symptoms for several years in postmenopause. People in the postmenopausal phase are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and

heart disease due to low estrogen levels.

A female is transitioning into menopause if she begins to experience some or all of the following symptoms:

1) Irregular periods or periods that are heavier or lighter than usual.

2) Hot flashes, also known as vasomotor symptoms (a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the body).

3) Night sweats and/or cold flashes.

4) Vaginal dryness that causes discomfort during sex.

5) Urinary urgency (a pressing need to pee more frequently).

6) Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).

7) Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings or depression).

8) Dry skin, dry eyes or dry mouth.

9) Worsening premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

10) Breast tenderness.

Some people might also experience:

-Racing heart.

-Headaches.

-Joint and muscle aches and pains.

-Changes in libido (sex drive).

-Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses (often temporary).

-Weight gain.

-Hair loss or thinning.

The main cause for these symptoms is hormonal changes. Everyone will not have the same symptoms while  transitioning to menopause . Some people have intense symptoms , while others have  only the mild ones. The average length of menopause symptoms is about seven years.

Management and Treatment : 

It’s about treating the symptoms of menopause that disrupt one's life. There are many different types of treatments available for managing the menopausal symptoms. The main therapies are:

*Hormone therapy (HT) or  Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) : 

- indicated only in the females who get either early or premature menopause 

-or who gets severe symptoms interfering with the day to day activities or if female is unable to cope up with the symptoms.

Hormone therapy boosts the hormone levels and can help with symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It can also help prevent osteoporosis. Studies show that 70% of the bone loss occurs in the females before actually attaining the menopause . Better is to start therapy once the menses start getting irregular or abnormal. Caution is to rule out Breast or cervical Cancers or any genetic predisposition for cancers or history of any coagulation defects before starting HRT.

* Non Hormonal therapy: Non hormonal therapy includes  lifestyle changes and non hormonal medications. These treatments are often good options for people who have medical reasons to avoid estrogen, including a personal history of blood clots or receiving breast cancer treatment.

Non Hormonal therapy includes 

1) Diet:  - Consumption of the foods that are rich in phytoestrogens (nutrients that have estrogen-like properties in the human body) e.g Soybeans , Chickpeas , Lentils , Flaxseed , Grains , Beans , Fruits , Vegetables.

- Limit the amount of caffeine , fats or spicy food consumption .

Dietary changes can make  hot flashes less severe and can give strength to the body . 

- Focus more on colourful fruits and vegetables as colours from nature add colours to one's life 

2)Exercising : Regular physical activity can help relieve symptoms of menopause , add strength , flexibility and stamina to the body  , helps maintaining weight and slows down the osteoporosis . Any type of physical activity is good like walking, cycling, swimming , dancing . Calm, tranquil types of movement like yoga can help with the improvement in mood and relieve anxiety. Both weight bearing and cardio workouts should be regularly done.

3) Joining support groups and making social connections:

Talking to the people who are also transitioning to menopause can be a great relief for many people. Joining a support group can give an outlet for the many emotions running through one 's head , which relieves anxiety . Social connections are found to be an antidote for depression. Harvard studies show that longest living and happiest are the people who have social connections.

4) Regular medical check up: Since after attaining menopause, there are more chances of hypercholesterolaemia , heart diseases and other medical ailments , so yearly checkup with the doctor is advisable. Along with that,  in peri menopausal period yearly breast examination, ultrasound uterus adnexae and pap's smear are also recommended. During perimenopause ,  once high quality cervical smear examination and mammography are also recommended . 

Ladies can carry out a self breast examination once a month and can also take care of personal hygiene .

Why the ladies need to be careful about themselves -

तुम प्रभात की अर्चना, तुम आरती का दीप हो।

भोर की पहली किरण तुम, परम पावन प्रीति हो ।।

सुरभि ऊषा काल की तुम, सृष्टि में रस घोलती।

वेद की पावन श्रुति, प्रज्ञा के बंधन खोलती।।

हो स्मृति सुख के समय की, कल्पना एकांत की।

सूर्य रश्मि सी प्रखर तुम, रजनी जैसी शांत भी।।

तुम शिवानी अन्नपूर्णा, मंगलों की खान हो।

मंत्र गायत्री स्वयं तुम, ईश का वरदान हो।।

हो विनीता शारदा सी, तेजमय दुर्गा मां भी।

लक्ष्मी सी ऐश्वर्या शालिनी, धैर्य मय पावन धरा।।

तुम ही मन की चेतना, तुम ईश की माया प्रबल।

गंगा यमुना नर्मदा तुम, पुण्य की राशि सजल।।

इन्दु सी अमृत लुटाती, बांटती संजीवनी।

तुम प्रभात का घोष बिंदु, सांझ की पावन ध्वनि।।

तुम ही प्रेमी की प्रिया हो, तुम ही कवि की प्रेरणा।

भक्त की पूजा तुम्ही , तुम संत की हो साधना।।

मन की कोमल भावना, तुम स्वप्न का विस्तार हो।

तृप्ति तुम उपकार की, भक्ति का पारावार हो ।।

पूर्ण नर को करने वाली,

हे नारी तू महान है।।

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