Women
have a unique cyclical nature, Menopause is defined as the condition when
menstrual cycle stops for a period of 12 months, at this period, a woman stops
having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally, it usually
starts with varying menstrual cycle till it get to final menstrual period, the
ovary which is a pair of reproductive glands in women located in the pelvis, it
produces eggs(ova) and female hormones which regulates the menstrual cycle,
controls the females body characteristics such as the breast and body shape
seizes it functions, In every monthly menstrual cycle, the ovary releases an
egg which travel through a Fallopian tube to the uterus.
How
does it start?
Menopause
is a normal part of aging in a woman usually after the age of 45, A woman is
born with a definite number of eggs which are stored in the ovaries,
menstruation and ovulation are controlled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone made by the
ovaries.
Certain
conditions can cause premature menopause
Pm may
start as a result of genetic disorders such as autoimmune disorders.
Premature
ovarian failure: Normally, the ovaries make progesterone and estrogen, these
hormones peradventure may stop releasing eggs due to changes in their secretion
or for unknown reasons, if such is the case it is called premature ovarian
failure and is always temporary.
Surgical
removal of the ovaries: The surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) in
an active ovulating woman will result to immediate menopause or induced
menopause, and the ovaries may as well be removed together with the uterus
(hysterectomy).
Radiation
therapy o chemotherapy can lead to premature menopause when given to an
ovulating woman.
Symptoms of menopause
Hot flashes and night
sweats are common among women undergoing menopause, a pronounced feeling of
warmth over the body especially in the head and chest, since it is yet to be
understood fully, it is likely due to a combination of hormonal and biochemical
fluctuations brought on by decreasing estrogen levels.
Vaginal starts losing its lubrication as
estrogen level falls during perimenopause, becoming thinner, drier, irritation
and itching/or pain with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) starts.
The
urethra undergoes changes similar to the tissues of the vagina and thereby
leading to an increased risk of urinary tract infections, urine incontinence
(feeling the need to urinate more frequently).
Emotional
and cognitive symptoms, changes in mood including fatigue, memory problems,
irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and reduced sex drive (libido).
Other
physical changes are weight gain, hair loss, wrinkles and acne, fat deposits
more in the waist and abdominal area rather than in the thighs and hips.
There are certain
complications and effects associated with menopause on chronic medical
conditions.
Osteoporosis
may start due to
decreasing estrogen level and it affects the amount of calcium in the bone;
this is the deterioration of the quantity and quality of bone that causes an
increased risk of fracture, especially in women that do not exercise regularly.
Cardiovascular diseases increases around the time of
menopause, decreased estrogen level can hamper the body from retaining flexible
arteries, as such palpitations or dizziness may present, however; Women have a
decreased risk of heart diseases and stroke volume when compared to men prior
to menopause.
References
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