Menopause Home

The menopause is also known as ‘the change of life’ and for some women, it can be the most challenging time in their life, both physically and mentally. Often due to the psychological effects, the menopause can affect the whole family. It is mainly associated with the last menstrual period. It occurs at an average age of 51 years in western women although women between the ages of thirty and sixty.

Menopause occurs when the ovaries cease responding to the controlling hormones that are released by the pituitary gland situated in the brain. Due to this, the ovaries do not release an egg each month. They also fail to produce oestrogen and progesterone, which are the female sex hormones. The fall in these hormones in the bloodstream causes the symptoms of menopause.

For most women the symptoms of menopause can include irregular periods for several years leading up to the menopause itself, known as the climacteric or perimenopause. This is due to the gradual decline of the ovaries’ function.

Whilst the body is experiencing the climacteric, the periods can become erratic in that they are not evenly spaced out along with the possibility of heavy bleeding.

Heavy bleeding can by treated by anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. This can also ease the pain whilst reducing the about of blood loss. Mefenamic acid can also be used for pain.

Menopause is different for different women. Some hardly notice the change apart from irregular periods whilst other suffer all the symptoms which can affect their life considerably.

For most, menopause is gradual and consists of a range of symptoms. The most common symptom is hot flushes and attacks of sweating. Unfortunately these symptoms can happen at any time and this can be often. A hot flush usually lasts for three to six minutes.

It is thought that hot flushes occur due to the automatic controls of the nervous system becoming erratic. This in turn triggers the blood vessels in the skin to open signalling the sweat glands to become active at any time, even if you are not too hot.

You may experience sleep difficulties and restlessness at night time. This is often due to night time sweats and may result in you needing to change the sheets several time through the night.

Mood swings, depression, fatigue and headaches are all usual symptoms of the menopause. You may also become forgetful and irritable.

The skin becomes thinner during the menopause and due to a lack in oestrogen the glands in the vagina do not produce as much lubrication often causing stinging and soreness during intercourse. Due to the decline in oestrogen, you may find that you need to pass water more often.

The bones can also loose their mass and strength (osteoporosis) making them more likely to collapse or fracture.

Some women experience a decline in their sex drive whilst others find that their orgasms are more intense.

The decline in oestrogen results in unfavourable changes in the blood’s cholesterol and fat levels causing potential problems. There is also a rise in the risk of heart disease and strokes.


Please click on More About Menopause for a longer description.