What is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural event which occurs inevitably in every woman’s life.Menopause is defined as absence of periods for 1 year. This occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and oestrogen hormone. It may come smoothly and the woman may not experience any problems or symptoms. However, it is very common to develop one or more symptoms which are due to the dropping level of oestrogen. About 7 out of 10 women will develop menopausal symptoms at some point during their Menopause 

Sypmtoms

Not all woman experience the symptoms of Menopause. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can deteriorate the quality of life of a patient
Few of the common symptoms experienced by majority of women are :-
 

• Hot flushes occur in about 4 in 5 women. Usually a typical hot flush lasts for a few minutes and it causes flushing of your chest, neck and face. A woman may also experience episodes of profuse sweating and may experience giddiness
• Sweats - They are more common at night, you may be drenched with sweat and might have to change clothes twice a day
• Insomnia - Inability to sleep
• Aching Joints - Multiple Joint Pain
• Weight Gain
• Headaches - May Be Mild or Severe
• Fatigue - Feeling Low on Energy, Tiredness
• Mood Swings - including anxiety, irritability panic attacks and crying spells
• Sexual Problems - such as vaginal dryness, itching and reduced desire for sex
• Memory Loss
• Feeling of Not Coping Well

Change in Female Body After Menopause

• Skin and hair. A woman may experience hair fall and may suffer from dry skin and excessive itching, this happens as a result of falling estrogen levels.
• Genital area. Lack of oestrogen tends to cause the tissues in and around your vagina to become thinner and drier therefore they may experience some pain during sexual activity. You might experience leakage of urine.
• Osteoporosis: Loss of bone mass. As you start aging , you gradually lose bone tissue. Your loss of bone mass increases with declining level of oestrogen. Your bones become weak. You start loosing bone mass and your bones become fragile and makes you more prone to fractures.
• Cardiovascular disease. Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, increases after the Menopause. This is because the protective effect of oestrogen is lost and makes the person susceptible to diseases

Menopause treatment

1. Life style Modification - Exercising, Wearing Loose Fitted Natural Fabrics, Frequent Bathing
2. Meditation - Good Hydration
3. Hormone Replacement Therapy
4. Local - Application of Estrogen Containing Creams to Ameliorate the Genito Urinary Symptoms
5. Combined Hormonal Replacement Therapy- Containing Low Dose Estrogen and Progesterone
6. Other Medication : Antidepressants, Clonidine,Tibolone, Gabapentin
7. Laser Therepy : For Incontinence , vaginal dryness

When to Consult your Gynaecologist?

If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms or are suffering from menopause, consult your Gynaecologist, book an appointment