Every woman realizes that menopause is a natural process and no one can avoid it, but not everyone has time to learn how the female cycle changes in this case.
This is reported by the Dr. Evin website.
Menopause does not start overnight. Its onset is preceded by a rather long stage - the period of menopausal transition, or perimenopause. At this time, a woman's body undergoes hormonal shifts, which is reflected in the level of sex hormones and the duration of the menstrual cycle. Perimenopause lasts differently for everyone, but usually lasts for 5-7 years.
The menopausal transition period begins on average at age 45, and the average age of menopause is 51. Climax is commonly referred to as the whole complex of symptoms that accompany this transition phase.
The word "menopause" is related to the Greek word climacter, which means "ladder". This word accurately describes all the changes that occur in a woman's body as she ages. First of all, at menopause, ovarian functions change: hormone production decreases and the ovarian reserve, namely the number of follicles (bubbles in which eggs mature), decreases. The follicles stop growing and synthesizing estrogens, the eggs stop maturing, which leads to menstrual irregularities.
Symptoms of menopause
How to realize that the process has already begun and menopause is close? The doctor named the symptoms that women most often experience during this period:
- Hot flashes. They occur in most people, but the degree of severity may vary. Some women note the sudden appearance of heat in the face, neck and shoulders, profuse sweating, others in addition to this are attacks of nausea, dizziness and even fainting, associated with a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain. Hot flashes can appear at the beginning of menopause and last for up to five or even more years;
- Abrupt mood swings;
- Change in the elasticity of the skin - it becomes thinner, dryer, takes on a grayish hue;
- Weight gain;
- Decreased libido;
- Fluctuations in blood pressure.
How your period goes before menopause
Before the onset of menopause, a woman's menstrual cycle remains as usual. According to doctors, it is normal from 21 to 35 days, with an average of 28 days. The normal duration of menstruation varies from 3 to 7 days, the average values may differ slightly to one side or the other.
During menopause, the cycle begins to change. All these changes are individual, but primarily depend on;
- lifestyle;
- of a woman's medical condition.
Normally, before menopause, periods become more abundant and the cycle length shortens. At the same time, the interval between menstrual periods begins to gradually increase. Periods may come once every 2-3 months, then 1-2 times per six months and finally stop.
Many women note that during menopause the cycle becomes shorter - this is a normal manifestation of fading ovarian function.
Menstruation itself can become both scanty and, on the contrary, abundant. This may be due to associated gynecological problems. In case of heavy discharge, a woman should immediately consult a gynecologist.
Premenstrual syndrome is getting worse
In the period of perimenopause premenstrual syndrome is felt more strongly - this is what the statistics say, so you should not be frightened. At the same time, 80% women who suffer from PMS at this stage have never experienced such problems before. Why does this happen?
It's about hormonal surges. In the body there are serious fluctuations in the hormonal background, which has not yet settled down. Some women at this age face premenstrual dysphoric disorder - one of the severe forms of PMS, which affects not only physical but also mental health.
How it can manifest itself:
- abdominal bloating;
- extreme fatigue;
- emotional surges that make you cry or laugh.
Prolonged periods before menopause
If menstruation does not pass for more than 8 days and heavy bloody discharge from the genital tract persists, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Such menstrual irregularities may be an indication for emergency hospitalization.
When menopause occurs
If menstruation is absent for a year or longer, it indicates the onset of menopause. During this period, women should visit a gynecologist and undergo a detailed clinical and laboratory examination:
- Check female sex hormones (LH, FSH) and thyroid hormones;
- get a breast ultrasound;
- get a pelvic ultrasound;
- do a cervical cytology.
Based on the results of this examination, the doctor will decide whether it is necessary to prescribe hormone replacement therapy.
The next stage is called postmenopause. During this period, the function of the ovaries fades completely. Any discharge of blood from the vagina during postmenopause is a pathology and a reason for immediate medical attention. It can speak, among other things, about oncology.
It is also advisable to learn that sometimes oral contraceptives take away from women's health..
