Menopause

It is believed by many people that menopause occurs only in women. However the fact is that menopause occurs in men as well. Let’s discuss further on what menopause exactly is, its symptoms and its treatments.

Menopause is said to occur when the ovaries of a woman stop producing an important component called estrogen which eventually leads to total shutdown of the reproductive system. As a result the woman might experience hot flashes and palpitations and psychological changes as well like depression, mood swings, anxiety and lack of concentration. Women might also experience irregular menstrual cycles. It is advisable to consult a doctor if any of these symptoms persist for a considerable amount of time.

Menopause is a process that starts gradually. In technical terms menopause is cessation of the menses. It may typically last a year and may also last till 5 years as well. Menopause occurs normally due to the woman’s aging process. It occurs in woman over the age of 50 years. However some women it may occur as early as 35 years. Treatment of menopause normally includes a surgical process of removing ovaries. The surgical process to remove the ovaries is called hysterectomy.

Women who suffer from symptoms of cancer or other serious illnesses are more prone to get menopause in the early stages. When menopause in women occurs earlier then the average age, then it is known as premature menopause. Premature menopause occurs in women before the age of 40 years. Some other causes of premature menopause are diabetes and thyroid disorders. Also chances of premature menopause are higher in identical and fraternal twins and research indicates that approximately 5% of the twins experience menopause before they reach the age of 40 years.

Menopause in its early stages is known as Perimenopause. In this type of menopause the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone decreases and then gradually becomes irregular. As a result the fertility of the women suffering from menopause is severely affected. There are high chances of menopause if the woman doesn’t get period within 12 months. Perimenopause in women can strike as early as 35 years and it lasts for a few months. In some cases it might last for several years also.

Treatments for menopause include medical treatments and surgical procedures. In case of surgical procedure Hormone Replacement therapy is often followed by doctors. Many women now consider menopause as something which occurs naturally as they age and don’t regard it as a disorder.