By Dr. Monique Rainford, ContributorMENOPAUSE, OR 'the change', is the permanent cessation of the menstrual period. If a women has no periods for 12 months, in the absence of pregnancy or other abnormalities, she has reached the menopause.
The average age of menopause, when oestrogen production ceases, is about 51 years and the normal age range is between 44 and 56 years of age. If a woman has the menopause before age 40, this is called premature menopause and she should see her doctor to discuss possible health effects.
The perimenopausal transition is the time period between the onset of irregular menses and the permanent cessation of menses. This transitional phase usually begins at age 45 and lasts five years. During this period, the number of days between menses is usually longer and there is an accelerated loss of ovarian follicles.
SMOKING AND MENOAPUSE
Smoking has consistently been linked, in various studies, to early menopause. In the perimenopausal period or at the menopause, a woman may begin to experience several symptoms. She may experience changes in her menstrual pattern, vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
The hallmark of menopause is the hot flush or flash. It is a sudden sensation of warmth or pressure in the head. Women may experience a feeling of heat or burning in the face, neck and chest. There may be reddening of skin and increase in skin temperature by up to seven degrees. It is usually followed by an outbreak of sweating and may last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Symptoms are often worse at night and in warmer climates. Obese people are less likely to have hot flashes. Most women experience symptoms at the onset of menopause. There tends to be a decrease in symptoms from the second to fourth year after menopause. Hot flashes are uncommon five years after the menopause. Hot flashes may be caused by conditions other than the menopause so, if a woman is experiencing these symptoms at other times, she should consult her doctor.
Other changes that women may experience at the time of the menopause are vaginal dryness, discharge and burning. They may begin to experience pain with intercourse and narrowing of the vaginal opening. Women may also have problems associated with urination, such as burning, increase frequency, involuntary loss of urine and more urinary tract infections. Women may notice a decrease in muscle strength and there is a loss in the strength of bones after the menopause.
HORMONE THERAPY
Hormone therapy is a good option for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. They are proven to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. They can successfully relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness, pain and intercourse and other vaginal symptoms. Some hormones have been shown to protect against weakening of the bones and fractures. They have also been shown to protect against cancer of the colon and diabetes.
However, as with all medications, there are some risks associated with hormone therapies and these include a small increase in the risk of stroke and heart disease for some women. If you have symptoms of the menopause you should consult with your doctor to see if hormone therapy is right for you.
Every woman, especially as she approaches the menopause and after, should exercise regularly, eat healthily and get herself screened for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. She should take her medications as prescribed by her doctor if she has any of these illnesses. She should have regular mammograms after age 40 and she should continue with regular Pap smears. She should also discuss with her doctor other important tests which she may require.
Menopause is a normal part of a woman's life. If she practises a healthy lifestyle and takes advantage of the resources available to her, she can help it to be a smooth transition.
