Experiences in Menopause.
by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.
Snapping at a spouse, child or student, crying spells, feeling
too blue to make supper for the family or prepare for a lecture, or excessive worries
about grown children and illnesses of older parents are examples of problems
that menopause can trigger in any relationship. Add to the anxiety of whether
the boss will like a project, a colleague will meet the deadline of a task, or just
the recent increase in a husband’s snoring, can all further increase mood
swings in menopausal women.
In
a society which places more value on youth and beauty, thought of the onset of
menopause or experiencing it can be troubling. Menopause is hardly discussed because
of its association with old-age and compromised beauty. However in societies where feminine wisdom
and reproductive experiences are valued, menopause is viewed in a totally
different context.
(1) What is menopause? Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when menstruation permanently stops, and signals the end of her ability to have children. Physiologically, this is the last stage of a gradual process in which reproductive glands in the woman called varies reduce their production of female sex hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone. A reduction in the production of female sex hormones called peri-menopause begins about 3 to five years before the final menstrual period. Menopause is considered complete when a woman has been without menstrual periods for one year.
(2)When is menopause likely to occur? On average, this occurs at about the age of 50. However like the period of menarche (the first menstruation) in puberty, timing for menopause differs from person to person. Research indicates that women who smoke cigarette tend to reach menopause earlier than women who don’t smoke cigarettes.
(3)What can a woman expect during menopause? Expectations at menopause also vary from individual to individual. Some women notice little changes in their bodies, and have few mood swings, while others notice changes that greatly bother them. It should be noted that female sex hormones affect every part of the woman’s body, and should equally be noted that these effects of hormones differ from person to person.
(4) What should a woman expect during menopause? Hot Flashes; about 60 percent of US women in menopause experience hot flashes during menopause. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of intense heat in the upper part of the body, with red blotches that might appear on the chest, back, and arms. These feelings often are followed by much sweating and later cold shivers, and can last from a few minutes to longer than 30 minutes. It should also be noted that hot flashes usually start a few years before menopause and gradually decline in frequency and intensity as the woman ages.
(5) What can trigger, or serve as a “starter” of a hot flash? Starters of hot flashes differ from individual to individual, and attempts to avoid these starters may not necessarily stop the hot flashes. Commonly known starters include: caffeine, alcohol, hot drinks, and stressful or frightening events or situations.
(6) How can a woman cope with hot flashes? Cold drinks of water of juices at the onset of a hot flash can be comforting; use cotton sheets, lingerie and other clothing, as they allow the skin to breathe and feel more comfortable; dress in layers, so you can remove layers at the first sign of a hot flash. Depending on your medical history and severity of symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Recent studies have shown a relationship between these therapies and the increase in heart disease, breast cancer and other chronic diseases. Discuss the risk and benefits of treatment with your healthcare provider
(7) Do menopausal women have more depression and other emotional problems? Menopausal women are not more depressed than the general female population, according to recent studies. At any given time about 10 percent of menopausal women are occasionally depressed, and 5 percent persistently depressed, reports the National Institute of Health. For women who undergo surgical menopause when the ovaries are removed, the rate of depression doubles than for women who have natural menopause.
(8)What are long-term effects of menopause? Common health problems that are likely to occur during menopause include: Osteoporosis or a weakening of the bones; heart diseases, sexual, and urinary changes may also occur. Discuss these problems with your healthcare provider when they occur.
(9)What
else can be done to improve a woman’s health before or during menopause? Avoid cigarette
smoking, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and schedule routine physical
examinations with your healthcare provider.
Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D., MPH, is State Specialist for
Public Health Education, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service at OSU in