Every women has probably had at least one monthly period that seems to have were gone on forever.
Saying goodbye to pads, tampons, cramps and bloating may sound appealing. But when menopause comes it can bring symptoms and emotions that can leave us frustrated. Menopause is a gradual process that can take several years.
You are not really “IN” menopause until you have had a full year, 12 consecutive months of period-free months. A woman goes through menopause at about the same age her mother did.
Women who have both ovaries removed will go though “surgical menopause” at the time of their surgery.
If the uterus is taken out but the ovaries are left, a women won’t have periods but she will go though menopause later in life.
The common signs and symptoms of menopause are
1- Change in your menstrual cycle, you may skip a period or they may come closer together.
2- Hot flashes which can disturb sleep or make you anxious.
3- Vaginal dryness which can make sex painful.
4- Urinary tract infections
5- Change in appearance like gaining weight, thinning hair, adult acne .
6- Emotional symptoms like mood swings, sadness and anxiety
7- Trouble sleeping and concentrating.
Managing menopause depends on the severity of the symptoms. While medication, soy products and certain herbal supplements may help ease some menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy involves taking either estrogen alone or estrogen combined with another hormone called progestin called combination hormone therapy .
Short term hormone therapy can relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy does seem to offer protection against osteoporosis and slightly decrease the risk of colorectal cancer however its not for every one because it may increase your risk of cancer, blood clots, heart attack and stroke.