Dr Reena A P
Specialist – Obstetrics & Gynecology
Healthspring World Clinic
Menopause is a natural sequence of ageing and permanent cessation of monthly bleeding between 40-61 years. Average age is 51 years. Physiologically menopause is a transitional change from reproductive stage to a non-reproductive stage.
Types of menopause
• Natural menopause
• Medical menopause: Treatment for following breast cancers, hormone therapy as a part of some other medical conditions.
• Surgical menopause: Following the removal of uterus with ovaries or ovaries alone as a part of treatment.
Incidence of POF is 0.1 percent-1 percent can occur at any age from puberty to 40 years, the reproductive age group
Causes due to some auto immune disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
POF is confirmed with prolonged delay in periods in reproductive age group with high level of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood test should be done at least on three occasions of four weeks interval.
In females, ovaries start to produce estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, a cyclical pattern under the control of FSH and LH produced by the pituitary gland in brain. These hormones are the main stream of hormones for the better development of reproductive organs , feminine characters, sexual life, pregnancy and lactation.
Time of menopause is based on the gradual decrease in the production of these hormones. Fall in circulatory hormones, especially estrogen level, impacts tissues of genito reproductive system. After menopause estrogen continues to be produced in other tissues of the body, especially in fat cells.
Symptoms: Menopausal symptoms are due to the hormonal fluctuations. Most important symptoms are:
Hot flushes: Increase in the body temperature in a very short period of time, weakness and heavy sweating even in cold climate.
Psychological:
Mood elevation: Depression and anxiety, disturbed sleep, fatiguenesss and lost feelings, loss of concentration
Other manifestations: Migraine, palpitation (increase in heart rate) atrophy of the genito urinary tracts, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), decreased libido and orgasm, loss of elasticity of the skin and soft tissues, urinary incontinence .
Musculoskeletal problems: Back pain, joint pains, muscular pain and osteoporosis
Management of menopausal symptoms
• Most important is life style modification: Healthy diet, regular exercise.
• Avoid stress and strain: Keep a healthy and young mentality
• Avoid smoking habits
• Healthy diet includes soybeans, beans, carrot, dates, colocasia, elephant yam, kachil and green peas – which contains sufficient quantity of phyto estrogens. Drinking plenty of water and home made juices. Use cotton dress which can maintain the body temperature.
