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Menopause is not a disease and it is not something that needs to be 'cured'. Menopause is a natural process and the normal consequence of ageing that occurs because of a decrease in the function of the ovaries, which also control oestrogen production. In addition to a decrease in oestrogen levels, menopause results in decreased progesterone levels, meaning that any eggs that are released are less likely to be fertilized.
The relative proportions of oestrogen and progesterone circulating in the body are key to the symptoms and effects experienced during and after the menopause. Many mothers have experienced the 'bloom' of pregnancy when they feel flush with health and their skin and hair, in particular, are radiant. This is due in part to the fact that progesterone levels during pregancy are maintained at very high levels - the name of the hormone is derived from 'pro gest' which means 'maintain gestation'. Whilst the ovaries are a major source of oestrogen, this hormone is also produced by the adrenal glands. In addition, many food stuffs, such as soy, contain chemicals that mimic oestrogen. Even hops are major source of oestrogenic effects which is why beer drinkers develop 'man boobs'. Unfortunately, there are also many hostile chemicals in the environment (xenoestrogens) that mimic oestrogen. These include the by-products of HRT and contraceptive pills that pollute the watercourse, plastic packaging and other man-made chemicals.
These high background levels of oestrogen-like chemicals means that women are constantly exposed to high levels of oestrogen after menopause which disrupts the natural decline of the oestrogen/progesterone balance. This is why the menopause has become a major 'health issue' in the western world over the last few decades. Men are also exposed to these same chemicals with the result that sperm motility and fertility have steadily fallen.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five, although it can occur much later, or much earlier, than that. Menopause occurs in a series of stages:
Premenopause:
The fertile or reproductive stage of woman’s life; it spans from the time of her first period to her last period
Perimenopause:
This is the period immediately preceding menopause and is characterized by hormonal changes which often lead to menopause symptoms and usually occurs between 45 and 60 years of age. It usually lasts for a period of 2 to 6 years.
Menopause:
Menopause occurs when a woman has her final period. Menopause is the permanent termination of a woman’s period and her fertility. This stage is confirmed when a woman doesn’t have a period for twelve consecutive months. Most women experience natural menopause, but some may experience artificial, or premature menopause. Natural menopause is caused by ageing and occurs after a natural decline in oestrogen and progesterone production. Artificial menopause usually follows a medical intervention, such as a hysterectomy, radiation treatment to the pelvic area or the removal of the ovaries. Premature menopause refers to when a woman stops menstruating before she is forty years old and can occur due to smoking, heredity or exposure to chemicals
Postmenopause:
The stage after a woman’s last period; due to a decline in hormone levels, this stage brings with it a new set of health concerns, including heart disease and osteoporosis.
Typical Symptoms
A woman can experience a variety of menopause symptoms, which occur during the perimenopause stage, including:
hot flushes and night sweats
depression
mood swings
dry skin and hair
anxiety
insomnia
weight gain
vaginal dryness
bone density loss
changes in libido and sexual enjoyment
To be sure a woman is going through menopause, diagnostic testing can be conducted, including an oestrogen or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level test, in addition to a blood test.
Medical and Natural Treatments
There are a variety of menopause treatments, both natural and medical, that can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause:
Hot flushes and night sweats: triggered by heavy blankets, caffeine, alcohol, hot water. Dressing in light layers can alleviate hot flushes and night sweats; avoiding caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can also minimize these symptoms, as can deep breathing
Insomnia: characterized by fatigue, irritability, waking up during the night, trouble falling asleep, cognitive impairment and decreased memory. Natural treatments for insomnia include: valerian, hops, passion flower and dong quai, all of which are sedative herbs. Vitamin B6 is also helpful because it produces serotonin; exercising during the day, avoiding alcohol, avoiding caffeine before bedtime, relaxing before going to bed (for example, taking a bath) and sleeping in a dark room can also help
Depression and mood swings: characterized by a decreased interest in life, fatigue, loss of appetite, thoughts of suicide and talk of death. St. John’s wort, magnesium, a vitamin B complex and exercise can help minimize these menopausal symptoms
Anxiety: symptoms of anxiety include feeling out of control, increased heart rate and difficulty breathing. Herbal menopause treatments include passion flower, valerian root and vitamin B, which boost the nervous system. Aromatherapy is also beneficial, and lavender has a particularly calming effect. Yoga, tai chi and meditation can also help relieve anxiety
Dry hair and skin: menopause often leads to dry, itchy skin and weak, thin hair that breaks often and that has lots of split ends. Flax seed oil and zinc (found in poultry, dairy, red meat, oysters and whole grains) can help restore your hair and skin’s healthy appearance, as can vitamin E
Vaginal dryness: menopause decreases vaginal elasticity, leading to vaginal dryness. Vitamin E can help, as can Kegel exercises, which help restore elasticity. Using water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse also minimizes discomfort related to vaginal dryness
Bone density loss: menopause can lead to osteoporosis. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D can help restore bone density, which naturally deteriorates after age 30 due to reduced oestrogen levels
Weight gain: menopause and weight gain tend to go together, with weight gain generally occurring in the perimenopause stage. However, studies show that this is due more to lifestyle changes than to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. The average weight gain is one pound per year. Weight gain during menopause has been conclusively linked to an increased breast cancer risk. Reducing dietary fat intake and exercising regularly can help to combat weight gain during menopause.
Herbal remedies
Black cohosh: a herb that is purported to alleviate depression, night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety and irritability. Black cohosh is part of the buttercup family and is believed to have oestrogenic activity. Side effects include nausea, dizziness and headaches
Phyto-oestrogens: natural compounds similar to oestrogen that helps to alleviate a variety of menopausal symptoms. Phyto-oestrogens are found in foods such as fruits, sprouts, red clover, yogurt, lentils and spinach
Wild Mexican Yam: has been found to be particularly effective by many women, especially to restore libido and reduce night sweats. The active ingredient, diosgenin, was the original source of 'natural progesterone' and enabled the development of the original birth control pills and some HRT treatments. (It just seemed to be more acceptable than hormones extracted from mare's urine - premarin!). For more information about Wild Mexican Yam click here.
Damiana:
can be particularly useful to restore libido. It's not called Damiana aphrodisiaca for nothing!
You may also benefit from calcium or vitamin supplements but it is essential to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet and make sure you exercise regularly.
For more information about natural approaches visit Healthnotes.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is popular with the medical profession. HRT can be administered orally (in pill form), vaginally (as a cream), or through the skin (in patch form). Because it replaces female hormones produced by the ovaries, hormone replacement therapy minimizes menopause symptoms. HRT can minimize hot flushes and night sweats, and reduce vaginal dryness. It can be used before, during and after menopause.
HRT can also help prevent osteoporosis, colon cancer, macular degeneration (vision loss caused by ageing) and may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Risks associated with HRT include a slight risk of blood clots, ovarian cancer and breast cancer (when used for a period of more than four years). HRT is not recommended for women with liver disease, cardiovascular disease, vaginal bleeding, or a history of uterine or breast cancer.
Menopause and Your Sex Life
Some women experience decreased libido when they reach menopause, while others experience increased enjoyment of sex, due to the fact that they no longer need to worry about pregnancy.
Decreased sex drive during and after menopause is caused by a variety of factors including:
hot flushes, which lead to discomfort and irritation
vaginal dryness, which can lead to discomfort during intercourse
night sweats, which result in insomnia
decreased androgen (male hormone) levels including testosterone, which minimizes libido
Menopause also affects sexuality through the physical changes that accompany it, including:
decreased blood flow to the pelvis, which leads to a smaller and less elastic vagina
the thinning of the vaginal walls, which also become more tender, making sex more painful
urinary leakage due to decreased pelvic muscle support. Regular pelvic floor exercises, preferably against a resistance, are essential
Maintaining a healthy sex life is important, as it will promote vaginal health. HRT minimizes night sweats, hot flushes and vaginal dryness; over-the-counter medications, such as gel lubricants, can also improve your enjoyment of sex after menopause. Trying new sexual techniques is another way to maintain a healthy libido and sex life.
Menopause Health Risks
Menopause can bring health risks. Osteoporosis is the most common disease associated with menopause, because of the negative impact on bones caused by declining oestrogen levels. Bones can become especially brittle in women’s hips, wrists and spine. The risk of developing breast cancer also increases.
Other menopause-related health risks include, heart disease, also due to decreased oestrogen levels, and weight gain.
Urinary incontinence can occur due to the loss of elasticity of tissue in the vagina and uterus. |
