At what age does menopause occur?
– Menopause is preceded by premenopause, which is characterized by a violation of the rhythm of menstruation, as well as the presence of symptoms of a deficiency of sex hormones, and it ends with the last menstruation. The end of menstruation is the menopause. Physiological changes begin after 45 years, the optimal onset of menopause is 50-55 years, – comments Natalya Belyaeva, obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category.
- Perimenopause. It mostly starts at the age of 45, although this is very individual. It happens that its first signs may appear in women at the age of 38-40. And sometimes women do not feel any changes until almost the 50th birthday. The ovaries are still working, but the periods become irregular and the intervals between them increase. During this period, a woman can feel hot flashes for the first time, some note a decrease in libido, bouts of blues and headaches, the doctor says.
- Menopause. The average age for a woman to go through menopause is 50-55 years old. The ovaries stop working, menstruation stops. Doctors define menopause as the absence of menstruation for 12 months. Changes caused by a lack of estrogen begin to manifest themselves especially clearly. During this period, the bones become brittle, the development of cardiovascular diseases and even diabetes mellitus is possible, the specialist notes.
How to define menopause?
feeling hot
Estrogen deficiency occurs during menopause. And this, in turn, affects the centers of thermoregulation in the brain. In women, the temperature suddenly rises, the vessels dilate, the sweat glands become activated. A feeling of heat covers the face, and then spreads throughout the body. Such hot flashes pass in 2-3 minutes.
Council: you can consult a doctor so that a specialist prescribes hormone therapy or antidepressants. To improve the condition during high tide, experts recommend drinking a glass of cold water, doing breathing exercises. Such hot flashes are easier to bear with regular physical activity – walking, swimming, fitness, yoga.
Excess weight
Even the thinnest women can experience weight gain when menopause occurs. Favorite jeans have become small, and the face is rounded.
Council: observe the drinking regime – 30 ml per 1 kg of weight per day (on average 1,5-2 liters per day), be sure to exercise, eat right. Diets during menopause are not recommended – you can not refuse micro and macro nutrients.
Osteoporosis
The main structural element of bone tissue is calcium. Its reserves begin to deplete after 30 years, and by fifty, the deficit reaches a critical minimum. The bones become very brittle. The most dangerous are fractures of the spine and femoral neck, since they immobilize a person for a long time.
Council: eat right, engage in light physical activity, take calcium as prescribed by a doctor.
Dryness in the intimate area
Due to estrogen deficiency, blood circulation also worsens, the pH of the vagina changes, the mucosa gradually becomes thinner and atrophies. There is severe discomfort: irritation, itching, burning, soreness during intercourse.
Council: the use of lubricants, an appeal to a gynecologist for the appointment of hormone therapy.
Frequent urination, urinary incontinence
Just sneezed or laughed – the laundry is wet. The fact is that the mucous membrane of the bladder and urethra does not grow as before, the hole increases, and that’s where troubles happen.
Tip: lead a healthy lifestyle, do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic organs, use topical estorgen-containing drugs as directed by a doctor.
Mood swings, irritability
The lack of hormones provokes malfunctions in the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, memory, sleep, and attentiveness. There is also a psychological explanation for this. After the onset of menopause, many people stop feeling like women – they won’t be able to get pregnant and give birth, they don’t want intimacy, self-esteem drops. Hence – depression, mood swings and irritability.
Council: sleep and wakefulness, good nutrition, active lifestyle, regular walks, correction of the psycho-emotional state, meditation, breathing practices. Hormonal and non-hormonal therapy.
Pressure surges
One of the first to respond to hormonal changes is the cardiovascular system. More than 70% of women experience jumps in blood pressure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, lack of air, fatigue, weakness, dizziness. Angina pectoris develops, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases sharply.
Council: control the level of blood pressure. Follow cardiologist’s orders. Eat right and lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
Popular questions and answers
Answers Natalya Belyaeva – obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category:
What symptoms accompany menopause?
• vasomotor symptoms – hot flashes, excessive sweating;
• psychological — depressive symptoms, irritability, sleep disturbance, decreased memory and concentration;
• urogenital and sexual – decreased libido, dryness, burning and itching in the vulva, dyspareunia, dysuria;
• General physical symptoms – fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain.
What are the signs of post-menopause?
What lifestyle should be followed during menopause?
The right lifestyle is the right sport, or rather, adequate physical activity for the body. Charging is useful for everyone, unlike aerobic exercise, such as running.
The right way of life is the right nutrition, which we have already talked about, and finally, the component of the right way of life is the right comfortable environment, people who are mentally close, communication with which is not stressful.