A condition or fact of life, that all women reach depending on age and a numerous of other factors.
Occurs when a women becomes unable to reproduce reproductive hormones.
The exact wording means “an end to monthly cycles“.
Often menopause occurs in women when their monthly cycles do stop.
It is the opposite of menarche or the beginning of menses
The action results in an change in the uterus – causing the stoppage of menses, but the real action takes place in the ovaries
Classification:
Without Uterus - when FSH levels become elevated
With Uterus - stoppage of menses
Clarification
Example: In a young women who has had her uterus removed (Hysterectomy) will often experience a loss if fertility and a loss of monthly menses.
Her ovaries and the release of reproductive hormones often will still occur. [This is assuming that she has at least 1 ovary remaining]. As long as those hormones continue – she has not reached menopause.
Second Example:
If a young women has both ovaries removed (Oophorectomy) No additional reproductive hormones are produced. She has reached a “surgical menopause“.
Cause:
- Natural progression
- Evolutionary adaptation
- Surgical
Age
- Often occurs naturally between ages 45 and 55
- The average is different depending on country
- If occurs prior to 40 – it is called premature ovarian failure
*** - Smokers may experience menopause at an earlier age
Associated Classifications
Perimenopause
- The relative time around the transition to the final menses
- Decrease in production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
- Fertility decreases dramatically – but it is not at 0%
- Age is often mid to late 40s
Premenopause
- Hormone level is very low
- Just prior to menopause
- Effects of hormone loss may be present
Postmenopause
- Following menopause
- Occurs 12 months following last period and spotting – at that point she is 1 year into postmenopause
- Women is infertile
- If not uterus – FSH levels will be very elevated
Symptoms
- Night Sweats
- Hot flashes
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
Skin changes
- Breast atrophy
- Thinning of skin
- Skin itching or burning
Vaginal changes
- Dryness
- Itching
- Bleeding
- Discharge
- Urinary changes
- Increased risk for UTIs and vaginitis
Psychological changes
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Decreased Sleep
Sexual changes
- Decreased sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Increased difficulty reaching orgasms
- Painful intercourse
Treatment and management
- Since menopause is natural - often no treatment is required
When is treatment needed?
- This question can be answered by a medical provider but in cases of mental, emotional, and/or physical changes are severe, then an evaluation be necessary
- Several risks are present
- Symptoms should outweighs the risks
- Replacement of estrogen and progesterone
- May decrease sex drive in males
. Medroxyprogesterone
Antidepressants
. Paxil
. Prozac
. Effexor
Vaginal moisturizers
Vaginal lubricants
Vaginal Estrogen
Diet
Support groups