During Menopause a woman is in a cycle of transition. From getting menstruation for a long period of one’s life to coming to a pause – it takes a toll on women’s health both physical, emotional & mental. There’s a change in hormone levels and different symptoms like anxiety & difficulty sleeping.
The average age of Menopause in India is 46-51 years. Let’s dive more into this article to understand what menopause is, what are the symptoms & possible treatments.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is derived from the Greek words – “men” which means month and “pausis” which means stop.
When women hit a certain age the menstrual cycle stops which marks the beginning of menopause. There is no set age but it usually occurs to women during the early 40s to early 50s. Women can also determine the same when they haven’t had their period in the last 12 months or 1 year.
At this age, your body stops producing Estrogen and Progesterone. It is considered a natural sign of ageing and for you to return to your old life without stress.
What are the symptoms of Menopause?
A lot of factors cause menopause. Women are born with eggs which are stored in their ovaries. Ovaries also produce 2 hormones – Estrogen and Progesterone. Ovaries help in the smooth flow of periods (aka menstruation) and releasing of the eggs (aka ovulation). So menopause happens when these activities stop.
Most women nearing menopause will have vasomotor symptoms (VMS). The most prevalent are hot flashes. A hot flash is characterized by a rapid sensation of warmth spreading across the upper body, sometimes accompanied by flushing, a racing heart, and sweating. Most women get modest flashes, while some experience intense ones.
More symptoms include:
- Irregular, delayed, or missed periods
- Dry and Itchy Vagina
- Sore Breasts
- Urge to pee more often
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Tiredness, headache & crankiness
- Weight gain & hair loss
- Reduced sex drive
What are the menopause Treatment in Delhi?
As said before menopause is a natural process but sometimes the symptoms may not go away. If the symptoms are making you feel uneasy or they’re causing great problems then some treatments may help you feel relieved.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This is considered the most effective treatment. In this process, you take the medicines that help you to replace the hormones your body isn’t familiar with anymore. Some medicines help you get rid of hot flashes and other vaginal symptoms. However, they can increase your chance of developing health issues such as heart disease or breast cancer, so take the most effective dose that works for the shortest amount of time.
- Topical hormone therapy: In this process, the gynecologists prescribe some kind of cream, insert, or gel to put in your vagina as it helps with the dryness.
Other treatments:
- Exercise and maintain a balanced diet & healthy lifestyle
- Some women are prescribed antidepressant medicines. There are some medicines called bisphosphonates like alendronate, risedronate, etc to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
- Soy meals have been shown to effectively relieve symptoms while also decreasing the risk of cancer.
- Fish oil high in omega-3 fatty acids is healthy for your heart and cholesterol.
- Acupuncture and homeopathy are alternative remedies.
- Slow, deep breathing and relaxation practices such as yoga and meditation are also beneficial.
What are the stages of menopause?
Natural menopause is not caused by any medicinal or surgery procedures. It is a slow process with three stages:
- Perimenopause: This period normally begins a few years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. Perimenopause continues until menopause when the ovaries cease producing eggs. Estrogen levels diminish more quickly in the latter 1 to 2 years of this period. Many women have menopausal symptoms.
- Menopause: This is when it has been a year since your last menstruation. The ovaries have finished producing eggs and most of their estrogen.
- Postmenopause: These are the years following menopause. Menopausal VMS symptoms like hot flashes and nocturnal sweats normally subside. However, the health hazards associated with estrogen depletion rise with age.
How to track the menopause?
You could suspect that you are entering menopause. Alternatively, your doctor will make a diagnosis based on the symptoms you have described.
You may keep track of your periods and record them when they become irregular. The pattern will provide your doctor with additional indication that you are perimenopausal or nearing menopause.
Your doctor may also check your blood for levels of:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): This typically rises as you approach menopause.
- Estradiol: This informs your doctor how much estrogen your ovaries are producing. This level will drop during menopause.
- Thyroid levels: This indicates thyroid difficulties, which can disrupt your cycle and induce symptoms similar to menopause.
What are some concerns associated with menopause?
The reduction of estrogen associated with menopause is connected to the following health issues that become more prevalent as women age.
- Heart diseases
- Weakening of bones
- Inadequate functioning of the bladder and bowels
- Great risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Aging signs like wrinkles
- Poor muscular power and tone.
- Weak eyesight can be caused by cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) or macular degeneration (breakdown of the small area in the center of the retina that is the center of vision).
Best gynecology specialist in Delhi
There are a lot of gynecology specialists in Delhi. Visiting a gynecologist is considered the best thing during the menopausal years. It helps you keep a strong track of your intimate health and how you can avoid the risk of more hazardous infections and diseases.
One such gynecology specialist in Delhi is the UK Nursing Home – a tradition of caring. They have the best gynecology department in Delhi. They deal with the following women’s conditions
- Menstrual disorders
- Pelvic pain
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Infections
- Menopause issues
- Endometriosis
They provide a wide range of treatments, including routine screenings, exams, diagnostic testing, and treatment and operations for a variety of obstetrics and gynecological problems.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to handle the sexual changes that accompany menopause, such as vaginal dryness and a decrease in sex drive. You may also discover that you don’t enjoy sex as much and have difficulty achieving climax. Regular sexual activity, as long as it does not cause pain, may help maintain your vagina healthy by increasing blood flow.
Your ovaries have ceased producing eggs after you reach menopause, therefore you cannot become pregnant. However, you can still get a sexually transmitted illness. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, use safer sex practices.
