What is Menopause ?

What is Menopause ?

The female reproductive time of life begins at adolescence in the early teens and continues until the end of the menopause in the mid or late forties. Most women during their reproductive period have a regular monthly cycle, usually occurring every four weeks except during pregnancy.

In the middle or late forties, many women suddenly become aware of increased nervous tension, menstrual disturbances, hot flashes, chilly feelings, excitability, easy fatigue, depression, crying spells, sleeplessness, palpitation, dizziness, headaches, numbness and tingling and other annoying symptoms. A woman experiencing these symptoms feels miserable through no fault of her own. This entire problem arises due to the non-production of the estrogen hormone from the ovaries.

This natural phenomenon in life starts many years before menopause symptoms actually begin to show. Hormone levels can fluctuate for several years before eventually becoming so low that the endometrium becomes thin and does not bleed. Normally the ovaries start to slow the production of hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.

Low estrogen levels may also lead to changes in collagen production, affecting hair, nails, skin and tendons. The skin may become dryer, thinner; less elastic; more prone to bruising and skin itching may occur.

Anything that interferes with the normal functions of the ovaries may bring on these problems. If the ovaries have to be removed by surgery because of some disease, the same thing will occur soon after the operation. Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman's life. It depends on a woman how she views this time of her life. This can have a lot to do with how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed, as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized, if not eliminated.

The average age of the natural menopause is 51 years, but can occur much earlier or later. Menopause occurring before the age of 45 is called early menopause and before the age of 40 is premature menopause. Per menopause is the stage from the beginning of menopausal symptoms to the post menopause.

Post menopause is the time following the last period, and is usually defined as more than 12 months with no periods in someone with intact ovaries, or immediately following surgery if the ovaries have been removed.