Conditions
Menopause
The menopause is often called the ‘change of life’ and is not an illness, but a stage in a woman’s life where she stops ovulating and ceases to menstruate. It is preceded by a period known as the peri-menopause, where the symptoms of the menopause start, and the post-menopause where the symptoms cease. It is unusual because it can affect women in many different ways, and some will pass through it with barely any symptoms, whilst others suffer severe and distressing complications that require medical help.
The most common symptoms include hot flushes, which are often red and patchy and night sweats. As a result of both of these, a woman’s sleep may be disturbed and this can lead to irritability and problems with short-term memory and concentration. Another common symptom is vaginal atrophy, more commonly known as vaginal dryness. This manifests itself as an itching and dryness that can make sex very uncomfortable, though this can normally be treated with oestrogen cream and vaginal pessary. Other common symptoms include urinary infections, such as cystitis.
Only around 1 in 10 women will need to seek treatment for menopausal symptoms, and the most commonly prescribed treatment is Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT. This replaces the missing oestrogen and can relieve all the symptoms of the menopause. An alternative to this is Tibolone, which is a synthetic steroid that acts in much the same way as HRT.
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im 21 have a son who is 2 in august and after giving birth i went on the injection contrceptive and stopped it last march. i havent had a period since i had my son, i have been told the injection can stop periods but i havent been on it for a year now i am wondering what is wrong with me. Me and my partner have been trying for a baby since i came off the injection and i think it could be because i dont have periods i have also tried lots of ovalation tests and they have all come back negative no matter what time of the month it is. Will i be able to have more kids? Thanks
I'm 17 years of age. When i was 16 i didn't have a period for quite a few months and i wasn't sexually active. When i came back on my period they were pretty much back to normal, but for the last two months they have stopped being normal again. I had a tiny bit of blood when i was due on but the blood didn't continue. I had sex (first time) about two months ago and used protection, and we stopped before he cummed. Is this serious or completly normal?
Im 18 and my periods have never been regular, at one point i wondered if i was going through the menopause because i hadnt had my period in almost 3 months. There was a recent episode of a show called Skins in which one of the young girls is going through a premature menopause and ever since iv not been able to stop thinking about it. How common is this and does it happen to anyone or is there people who are more likely to get it? If its stress that causes it I wouldnt be surprised if I got it because I cant stop worrying about it.
hello im 19 im still a vigin but for the last year iv enot been having regualar periods eg every 3-4 months which is very worrying,could i be facing pre-menopause?
what is the likly houd of a 16 year old (going on 17)getting this. i only ask cuse iv always had problems with my period but i havent seen my perioud since october the doctors have tacken every test throughout the last year or 2 and still cant find anything wrong im scared and it make me feel as if im not normal.
i havent had a period for 13 months previous to that 18 months is it safe to have unprotected sex
I started the menopause at 40 & really suffered severe symptoms. The mood swings were horrific as well as the exhaustion. After 2 years of suffering & continual visits to the doctors cos I felt I was losing my mind I was finally given a simple blood test to check for hormone levels. I was then put on HRT staightaway. Before this my periods had stopped completely but because of my age I was told I would have to have a bleed (Boo). BUT the HRT was an absolute lifesaver. I couldn't believe the dramatic positive effect it had on me. The benefits far outweighed the scare stories & I had no side effects what so ever. At 50 my HRT was changed to 1 that no longer meant I had to have a bleed - HURRAY!. But 2 years later I was advised to come off as my sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was really reluctant to do so, fearing a return to the nightmare situation before being given the drug. However I did. Some very mild symptons returned (hot flushes) but they were nothing really and are few & far between. I feel great now. WOO HOO!
I found after going thro an early menapause in my 30s , Im constantly lethargic , my sleep is all over the place I sleep anything from 3/4 hrs up to 15 hrs. I have terrible sweats that come on with no notice, from under my arms & around my lower regions between my legs , the beads on sweat just run off me , that smell ammediatly a awful body odour and even after keep showering it can still be smelt on my skin.I have tried many strong deo-products but they have burnt & irritated my skin.. I also it was very hard to get sexually aroused , so gave up trying . HRT that I tried in the beginning , balloned my weight up 2 stone , so I had to come off it..Can someone of my age 60 start taking HRT again & are there any that dont now cause weight gain. I am willing to try to see if my life improves..
My experience of the menopause has been very much like all the above, the hot flushes were extrem every 20 minuetsI was shattered. My pharmasist at the chemist had said that the G.P. could help and I have been perscribed a tablet called CLONIDINE 25MG I have taken these for about 2 years now, they do not stop the flushes but they are not so frequentand I can manage them better.Hope this helps some of you.
I am 50 and currently going through the menopause hot flushes mood swings am coaping, but am just not interested in sex quite happy not to bother again, but from being someone that loved sex it is such a change of character, I do still have my periods they dissappear for few months then come back with vengence but there you go, should I go on hrt my doctor has suggested it ? It would be nice to actually have a sex drive, or a proper sex life, well my poor husband would like it lol
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