Menopause is the term we use to indicate the complete cessation of menstruation. If you have not had a period continuously for 12 full months, you can take it that you have reached menopause. On an average, women today tend to have their menopause between 50 and 55 years of age, but the exact age of a person’s menopause will depend on her family history, her own time of attaining menarche and other health factors.
Due to the complete halting of menstruation, a woman’s body undergoes several hormonal changes that will impact her physically and mentally. Many of us tend to fear these changes and dread going through menopause. If we are able to better understand what causes them and prepare for them appropriately, we can welcome this new stage in our life in a calm and balanced manner. So, let us look into some of the main issues women face and what they can do to address them.
Irregular cycles and prolonged bleeding: As they go towards menopause, women may face disruptions in their cycles, with menstruation occurring after a stretch of three or four months in some cases. If the menstrual flow is as usual, there is no need to get concerned. However, if the woman experiences prolonged menstruation and bleeds continuously for a couple of weeks to a month, she has to consult a doctor to identify the underlying cause. The doctor will check several factors including the size of the uterus, size of the inner layer of uterus, ovaries’ health, changes in uterine muscular health, presence of fibroids or polyps, and so on to narrow down the cause and thereby determine the treatment.
Hot flushes and palpitations: While these symptoms are commonly associated with menopause, it is important for women to rule out the possibility of them arising from cardiac-related issues (in particular for palpitations). It is for this reason that an annual health check-up is advised after a woman turns 40, to detect the presence of any age-related co-morbidities that could be giving to rise to physical issues.
Decreasing bone mineral density: Our bodies naturally begin to experience loss of bone mineral density after we cross our early 30s. Up to attaining menopause, the loss of bone mineral density stands at roughly 1% a year. When we reach menopause, the loss accelerates to about 3% a year. This accelerated loss is due to the body ceasing to produce estrogen (a ‘bone friendly’ hormone) after we attain menopause. This is the reason why many women face osteoporosis after they attain menopause. While we cannot reverse our body’s natural processes, we can work to keep ourselves healthy and fit, to ensure improved overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating calcium-rich foods and getting sufficient Vitamin D are some important steps to incorporate. It is also helpful to consult an orthopaedician to evaluate one’s bone health and get required calcium and Vitamin D supplements.
Vaginal dryness and loss of libido: The drop in estrogen levels during menopause may give rise to two more issues – one, vaginal dryness and irritation in the vaginal area, and two, decreased libido or sexual drive. For vaginal dryness, women may consult their gynaecologist for topical creams that may help ease the discomfort. In some cases, the natural decline in sexual drive may be further compounded by vaginal dryness, which could result in pain during intercourse. This may not just affect the woman physically and mentally, but also disrupt sexual chemistry between couples. Consulting a gynaecologist may help the woman address her decreased libido. In cases where the disruption in sexual relations seems to affect other aspects of domestic life, it would be good for the couple to seek professional counselling.
