Video
Dr Pixie:
The menopause is something that every woman goes through, yet many don’t discuss this natural change that marks the permanent end of their menstrual cycle.
A woman is born with between one and two million eggs in her ovaries and throughout her reproductive years, these eggs are regularly released into the fallopian tubes for fertilization by a man’s sperm. If unfertilized, the woman’s body will expel them as part of her period.
As her supply of eggs is run down, her ovaries stop making oestrogen and progesterone, which are the hormones that have regulated the menstrual cycle throughout her life. This results in the end of her monthly periods.
Menopausal signs and symptoms will often begin in a woman’s forties, even though she still may be menstruating. This transition phase is called the peri-menopause, which literally means ‘around the menopause’. It usually lasts between two and six years. It’s important to remember that, although fertility is decreasing, you can still get pregnant during this time.
The symptoms of the menopause include the menstrual pattern getting highly irregular, a period may last fewer or more days and blood flow may become heavier or lighter than usual.
Many women will start experiencing the classic menopausal symptom of the hot flush, which is a sensation of heat or feverishness, mostly in the face, neck and upper chest. It is usually accompanied by reddened skin, and is often followed by heavy sweating and cold shivering, which frequently occur at night.
There may be a loss of libido and a change in feelings toward sex, which can become uncomfortable. A decrease in oestrogen levels causes the tissues of the vulva and the lining of the vagina to become thin, dry and less elastic.
Problems holding urine can also occur, which, combined with the other symptoms, contribute to sleeping problems, leading to issues with short-term memory, irritability and the inability to concentrate.
Technically, a woman doesn’t actually hit the menopause until it’s been one year since her last period. The years that follow are called the post-menopause. Typically, women tend to feel more like themselves again and are more emotionally stable and mentally strong. Some of the symptoms, however, may linger.
Husband:
She gets a bit grumpy and weepy and…
Wife:
Yes, I get…do get terrible mood swings.
Woman 1:
Sweating.
Woman 2:
Mood swings.
Woman 1:
Forgetfulness.
Woman 2:
Uh, vaginal dryness.
Woman 1:
...Forgetfulness.
Dr Pixie:
Even though the menopause is not an illness, you shouldn’t hesitate to get treatment if you’re experiencing severe symptoms. There are many possible treatment options, and the most common one is hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. This treatment involves replacing the lost oestrogen and is most effective in relieving the hot flushes and the vaginal and urinary symptoms. Tibolone is a synthetic steroid and like HRT, is effective in reducing hot flushes, but it is also particularly helpful for those with a reduced libido.
In addition to these medical treatments, there are a number of lifestyle and home treatments that can be beneficial. For instance, to deal with hot flushes, try to pinpoint and then avoid what triggers them. Alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods can all be responsible, as can a heightened emotional state. Clearly, these things can be hard to avoid, but, if you are aware of the triggers, you will be able to prevent the symptoms before they occur. For issues like vaginal discomfort, many women use over-the-counter water-based lubricants. It is also important to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Menopause is a natural state in a woman’s life and nothing to be embarrassed about or frightened about, but there are some common concerns and myths surrounding this time of transition.
A loss of femininity and sexuality are common concerns, but the menopause doesn’t have to signal this. In fact, you may be one of many women who find it liberating to stop worrying about pregnancy and periods. Weight gain is another major concern. Middle age spread is often linked to the hormonal changes at this time of life, but as yet there is no conclusive proof. Those extra inches could just be part of getting older and being less active.
Does the menopause signal the end is near? Absolutely not. The truth is that you’ve still got as much as half your life to go and many women who’ve completed the menopause look back on it as a passageway to a new positive phase of life. Most report that they now feel more confident, empowered, and energized than ever before.
Remember that if you have any concerns about the menopause or its symptoms, talk to your GP as there are plenty of options available, and there is no need to suffer in silence.
Dr Pixie presents an exclusive guide to the menopause. In the guide she discusses why it occurs, what treatment options are available if the symptoms are severe, as well as examining some of the common myths surrounding this natural stage of a woman’s life.
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Ive just gone through 2 years of hell with my divorce ,and now at 45 my periods have just stopped .looking back on the last couple of year's iam now wondering if a lots of my stress was made worse by me going through the menopause and not realising eg depression , not sleeping , exhaustion patchy skin and weight gain plus no intrest in sex at all .My divorce is far from over but since my period stopped two month's ago i feel like a weight as been lifted of my shoulder and i feel so much happier is this normal ???
i am going through the menopause and i itich down below is this normal
I am currently watching my Mum go through the stressful symptoms of menopause. She is 54. She has hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, impatience, and she finds it difficult to go into town alone. I believe the stress caused by the menopause is mainly caused by society's complete lack of understanding and honoring of this natural cycle. Women going through this need support from their families and work collegues. They should not try to suppress their symptoms with drugs, but allow space in their lives to nuture themselves. Do not that push yourself to carry on as you always have. Take plenty of breaks, work at a slower pace, ask for help at home. It's all about acceptance. Seeing my Mum go through her cycle has taught me these things.
I totally agree! I had a severe bout of anxiety/depression 2 years ago and looking back have no doubt it was the onset of the menopause. Through that I've learned to change the way I do things, mainly now because of the sweating. Do a bit and rest a bit is the only way for me! Apart from the sweating, lack of libido is the worst thing for me. There's a great forum that I use called Menopause Matters http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php with wonderful discussions and posts from like-minded ladies.
I absolutely agree , wise words from a younger woman. I suffered dreadfully ,however took HRT to relive the symptoms [ especially hot flushes and sleeplessness] as they were hugely embarassing and 'not seen' in the workplace or in day to day life, or if they were they were ridiculed...[ poor old girl]. I now have to come off HRT and feel very aprehensive about it. Shameful really ...after so many of us women have honoured and nutured others.
I am 67 started my menopause at about 42 I was then put on HRT and had no problems until they said I had to come off the HRT They put me on Tibolone to help ease the terrible sweats it worked for a short while then the sweats returned with a vengence even though I was still taking Tiblone. The specialist didn't understand this and said because of my age I must come the Tibolone with high risk of strokes. So I am now suffering terribly with the sweats and they said there was nothing they could to help. Please can anyone help as I am at my wits end !
I'm 57 and just been told by my GP that i can no longer have HRT.They did perscribe a lower dose but this enduced a menstrual cycle which i didn't and don't want. The hot sweats are back and i can not sleep which for me is a real problem, if i don't sleep i don't function. I seem to be in limbo, does anyone know of anything that will just stop the sweats at night and please not Prozac as i told my GP when it was suggested....i'm not depressed i just want the night sweats to go away. Please help.
The menopause is played down by society and doctors. We are told it is a natural occurence - but it is really the evolutionary system having not caught up with our extended life spans. Menopause produces a raft of humiliating symptoms including incontinence, depression, vaginal atrophy, sweats, mood changes, sagging skin, osteoarthritis, raised cholesterol, increased adipose fat. I would advise women not to be fobbed off by their doctor and to expect proper hormone therapy. HRT has been villified in recent years but the cancer risk rises from 44/1000 to 45/1000.Men suffering from Andropause get correct hormone treatment. Why should women be left with magnetic devices, chillows and dubious herbal remedies? I started bio identical hormone therapy privately and got my life back.
I am 50, I started menopause when I was around 45yrs old. No major problems except hot flushes which have now stopped. I feel fine except the fact that my family in Africa (Nigeria) are quite alarmed that I started menopause at this age. They believe the monthly cycle flushes diseases in the body and because my period stopped, my body harbours diseases. As a result of menopause, some older generation in Africa stop having sex with their wives to 'prevent' them 'catching' some of the 'illnesses' from their wives. I regret sharing this personal information with them.
I am 33 years old and the last couple of years i have gone completly off of sex i dont even want my husband touching me. I also have very bad mood swings could this be the start of the menapause these are my only symptoms but its putting a strain on our relationship. Can you help or do i need to see my GP.
I have gone through the menopause early i was only 41,about six years ago i had blood tests as my periods were dwindling to one every six months,with hot flushes lack of sleep etc the tests revealed i was on the change then three years ago my periods stopped i thought great as i use to get painful periods and my moods were awful.imagine my horror and surprise to then have a period a month ago.I went to my gp who has referred me to a gynaecologist as this is not normal.I attend the clinic in march,i will let you know the outcome
I attended the clinic and after a internal scan i was told all ok and should not have zny more periods,but if it should happen again to get in touch with them.
I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 27 for precancerous cells - everything was fine until the last two years - I'm 57 this year and am now experiencing severe vaginal dryness combined with a "driving me mad" vaginal itch to the extent that I no longer can have sex and I miss it so much - I have been blessed with a very understanding hubby but I am so miserable !! I have been back and forward to the docs on numerous occasions, been given tubes of creams that have not worked, hormonal pessaries, you name it, I seem to have been prescribed it! The problem is that I have been told that there is nothing more now that can be done other than go on HRT which I don't want. I'm not prepared to take the risk of getting breast cancer, etc., to me its like Russian roulette and feel that there must be someone out there who can help me get my life back on track! Its such a little health issue but its created the most miserable two years I have experienced