MENOPAUSE: FACTS FILE:
https://infoniger.blogspot.com/2016/10/menopause-facts-file.html
MENOPAUSE
BASICS
Menopause
is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. The term
“Menopause” is commonly used to any of the changes a woman experience, either
just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of her
reproductive period. It is the period
when the function of the ovaries ceases.
CAUSES
AND RISKS FACTORS OF MENOPAUSE
Causes:
Menopause
is a natural physiological mechanism in a woman’s body wherein she stops
menstruating. During menopause a woman’s hormone mechanisms underage numerous
changes that finally leads to the cessation of menstrual cycles.
A
woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries.
During each menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels
from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.
The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen
and progesterone, which regulate menstruation and ovulation. Menopause occurs
when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.
Menopause,
when it occurs after the age of 40, is considered a natural and normal part of
aging. But some women can experience menopause early; either as a result of
surgery, such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries, such as from
chemotherapy. Menopause that occurs before the age of 40, regardless of the
cause, is called premature menopause.
Two Risk Factors:
Smoking
has been linked to earlier onset of the menopausal process wherein it is
dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked and the duration of the
habit.
Drinking
of Alcohol
HOW
DOES NATURAL MENOPAUSE OCCUR?
Natural
menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation that is not brought on by any
type of medical or surgical treatment. For women undergoing natural menopause,
the process is gradual and is described in three stages
Premenopause:
(Perimenopause). Typically begins several years before menopause, when the
ovaries gradually produce estrogen. Premenopause last until menopause, the point when the ovaries
stop releasing eggs. In the last one year of Premenopause, the decrease in
estrogen accelerates. At this stage, one may experience menopause symptoms
Menopause:
Menopause is the point when it’s been a years since a woman last had her last
menstrual period, as the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing most
of their estrogen.
Postmenopause:
These are the year after menopause. During this stage, menopausal symptoms are as
experienced by most women. However, health risk related to the loss of estrogen
increases as the woman age
CONDITIONS AND CAUSES OF PREMATURE MENOPAUSE
(a)Premature
Menopause can be the result of genetics autoimmune disorder, or medical
procedures. Other conditions that cause early menopause include:
(b)Premature
Ovarian Failure. Normally the ovaries produce both estrogen and progesterone.
Changes in the levels of the two hormones occur when the ovaries, for unknown
reasons, prematurely stop releasing eggs. When this happens at the age of 40,
it is considered to be premature ovarian failure. Unlike premature menopause,
premature ovarian failure is always permanent.
©Induced
Menopause. “Induced” menopause occurs
when the ovaries are surgically removed for medical reasons, e.g. uterine
cancer or endometriosis. Induced menopause can also result from damage to the
ovaries caused by radiation/ chemotherapy.
SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE
Menopausal
women usually suffer from wide range of signs and symptoms that may affect
almost all organs of the body.
Commonly
Noted Signs And Symptoms Include:
A
feeling of sudden warmth in the face, neck and chest (hot flushes)
Sleeplessness
or Insomnia
Increased
anxiety, depression and irritability
Urgency
of Urination, burning or pain during urination
Vaginal
dryness and decreased sexual desire
Night
sweats and sleeping problems
Increased
risk of osteoporosis
Headaches
Forgetfullness
In
any case, not all women get all of these symptoms
The
diagnosis of menopause is based on factors such as the age of the woman and
signs and symptoms observed.
Absence
of periods for a span of 1 year along with other features of menopause is
usually diagnostic.
Measurement
of the FSH levels in the body is also considered as a diagnostic feature.
The
doctor may advise additional tests that may need to be repeated periodically in
order to check for any abnormal changes in the body.
The
therapy is based on the severity of the symptoms of menopause. Most women cope
well with lifestyle modifications such as
Diet
modifications (high fiber, low fat, foods rich in antioxidants, soya)
Exercise
Smoking
cessation
Decreased
alcohol intake
Relaxation
Stress
reduction
Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) is generally advised for women who are symptomatic
and are at high-risk of developing cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis,
Alzheimer disorder or colonic cancer.
This
is generally advised for a period of 3-6 months. Menopausal women may also be
required to take calcium and vitamin supplements.
Menopause
requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your
signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur
with aging. Treatments may include:
Hormone
therapy. Estrogen therapy remains, by far, the most effective treatment option
for relieving menopausal hot flushes. Depending on your personal and family
medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose needed
to provide symptom relief for you. If you still have your uterus, you’ll need
progestin in addition to estrogen. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. And
hormone therapy may benefit your heart, if started within five years after your
last menstrual period
Vaginal
estrogen. To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered directly to
the vagina using a vaginal tablet, ring or cream. This treatment releases just
a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissue. It can
help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and some urinary
symptoms.
Low-dose
antidepressants. Certain antidepressants related to the class of drugs called
selective serotonin reputable inhibitor (SSRIs) may decrease menopausal hot flushes.
A low- dose antidepressant for management of hot flush may be useful for women
who can’t take estrogen for health reasons or for women who need an
antidepressant for a mood disorders.
Gabapentin
(Neurontin) Gabapentin is approved to
treat seizures, but it has also been shown to help reduce hot flushes. This
drug is useful in women who can’t use estrogen therapy and in those who also
have migraines.
Medications
to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Depending on individual needs, doctors may
recommend medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Several medications are
available that help reduce bone loss and risk of fractures. Eg take plenty of
calcium.
Before
deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and
the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your
needs and treatment options may change.
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Exercise and relaxation techniques
Get
plenty of exercise.
Do
kegel exercises every day. They strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis.
Practice
slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flush starts to come on. Try taking six breaths
a minute.
Use
water-based lubricants or a vaginal moisturizer during sex
COMPLICATIONS
OF MENOPAUSE
Menopausal
women may experience bleeding even after cessation of menses. They may also be
at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disorders or
cancer of the colon. There is nothing to worry about, you still let your health
personnel know about the conditions, as it may be early signs of cancer. Other
complications include;
Vaginal
bleeding
Osteoporosis
and bone losses
Changes
in cholesterol level and greater risk of heart disease.
Heart
disease problem.
Hot
flushes
Vaginal
dryness
WHEN
TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
Call
your health care provider if:
You
are spotting blood between periods
You
have had 12 consecutive months with no period and suddenly vaginal bleeding or
sporting begins again, even if it is a very small amount
CONCLUSION
AND ADVICE:
Menopause
is a natural and expected part of a woman’s development and does not need to be
prevented. You can reduce your risk of long-term problems such as osteoporosis
and heart disease by taking the following steps:
Control
your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease.
Eat
a low-fat diet.
Get
regular exercise. Frequent exercises will help to strengthen your bones and
improve your balance.
If
you show early sign of bone loss or have a strong family history of
osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about medications that can help stop further
weakening.
Please,
it is advised that you:
Take
care of your health by going for routine medical check-up at least twice a year.
Report
to your doctor anytime you notice any change in your body.
Women
should do Paps-smear test yearly to dictate early sign of cancer of the
Vagina/Cervix/Womb
Do
self breast examination twice a week
MRS. GLADYS MMA. OKAFOR (Medical Personel)
DEPUTY
CONTROLLER OF PRISON
LAGOS
STATE COMMAND
