Menopause

Definition

Menopause is a natural biological process. But the physical symptoms, such as hot flushes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt sleep, lower energy or affect emotional health.

Symptoms :

In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause),

Might experience these signs and symptoms :

Causes

Menopause can result from :

• Naturally declining reproductive hormones. Approach in late 30s, ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that regulate menstruation — and fertility declines.
• In 40s, menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually — on average, by age 51 — ovaries stop releasing eggs, and have no more periods.

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OOPHORECTOMY

Surgery that removes the ovaries (oophorectomy). ovaries produce hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, that regulate the menstrual cycle. Surgery to remove your ovaries causes immediate menopause. periods stop, and likely to have hot flashes and experience other menopausal signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms can be severe, as hormonal changes occur abruptly rather than gradually over several years.

HYSTERECTOMY

Surgery that removes uterus but not ovaries (hysterectomy) usually doesn't cause immediate menopause. Although no longer have periods, ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during or shortly after the course of treatment. The halt to menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so birth control measures may still be desired. Radiation therapy only affects ovarian function if radiation is directed at the ovaries. Radiation therapy to other parts of the body, such as breast tissue or the head and neck, won't affect menopause.

Primary ovarian insufficiency.

About 1% of women experience menopause before age 40 (premature menopause). Premature menopause may result from the failure of your ovaries to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones (primary ovarian insufficiency), which can stem from genetic factors or autoimmune disease. But often no cause of premature menopause can be found. For these women, hormone therapy is typically recommended at least until the natural age of menopause in order to protect the brain, heart and bones.

Complications

After menopause, risk of certain medical conditions increases. Examples include :

• Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. When estrogen levels decline, risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women as well as in men. So it's important to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a normal weight.
• Osteoporosis. This condition causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. During the first few years after menopause, may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing risk of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are especially susceptible to fractures of their spine, hips and wrists.
• Urinary incontinence. As the tissues of vagina and urethra lose elasticity, may experience frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence). may have urinary tract infections more often.
• Strengthening pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises can prevent or control urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor problems and using a topical vaginal estrogen may help relieve symptoms of incontinence. Hormone therapy may also be an effective treatment option for menopausal urinary tract and vaginal changes that can result in urinary incontinence.
• Sexual function. Vaginal dryness from decreased moisture production and loss of elasticity can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual intercourse. Also, decreased sensation may reduce your desire for sexual activity (libido).
• Water-based vaginal moisturizers and lubricants may help. If a vaginal lubricant isn't enough, many women benefit from the use of local vaginal estrogen treatment, available as a vaginal cream, tablet or ring.
• Weight gain. Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause because metabolism slows. You may need to eat less and exercise more, just to maintain your current weight.

Diagnosis

Might also test blood for levels of -

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This usually goes up as near menopause.
• Estradiol. This tells doctor how much estrogen ovaries are making.
• Thyroid hormones. This shows problems with thyroid gland, which can affect period and cause symptoms that look like menopause.
• Anti - Mullerian hormone (AMH). body makes this in its reproductive tissues. It can help doctor learn about the reserve of eggs in ovaries.

Homoeopathic medication for Menopause

1. Graphites

   A woman who is chilly, pale, and sluggish—with trouble concentrating, and a tendency toward weight gain during or after menopause—is likely to respond to this remedy. Hot flushing and sweats at night are often seen. A person who needs this remedy may also have a tendency toward skin problems with oozing cracked eruptions, and be very slow to become alert when waking in the morning.

2. Lachesis mutus

   This remedy relieves hot flashes from menopause, especially when hot flashes are relieved by sweating or the occurrence of periods. This lady is more talkative.

3. Sepia

   This remedy can be helpful if a woman's periods are sometimes late and scanty, but heavy and flooding at other times. Her pelvic organs can feel weak and sagging, and she may have a craving for vinegar or sour foods. Women who need this remedy usually feel dragged-out and weary, with an irritable detachment regarding family members, and a loss of interest in daily tasks. Exercise, especially dancing, may brighten up the woman's mood and improve her energy.

4. Sulphur

   This remedy is often helpful for hot flashes and flushing during menopause, when the woman wakes in the early morning hours and throws the covers off. She may be very anxious, weep a lot, and worry excessively about her health. A person needing Sulphur often is mentally active (or even eccentric), inclined toward messy habits, and usually feels worse from warmth.

5. Belladonna

   This remedy relieves hot flashes with profuse sweating and head congestion.

6. Calcarea carbonica

   This remedy may be helpful to a woman with heavy flooding, night sweats and flushing (despite a general chilliness), as well as weight gain during menopause. People who need this remedy are usually responsible and hard-working, yet somewhat slow or plodding and can be easily fatigued. Anxiety may be strong, and overwork or stress may lead to temporary breakdown. Stiff joints or cramps in the legs and feet, and cravings for eggs and sweets are other indications for Calcarea.

7. Glonoinum

   This relieves sudden hot flashes with throbbing headaches or congestion, aggravated by heat, < summer.

8. Ignatia

   Ignatia is often helpful for emotional ups and downs occurring during menopause. The woman will be very sensitive, but may try to hide her feelings—seeming guarded and defensive, moody, or hysterical. Headaches, muscle spasms, and menstrual cramps can occur, along with irregular periods. A heavy feeling in the chest, a tendency to sigh and yawn, and sudden outbursts of tears or laughter are strong indications for Ignatia.

9. Lilium tigrinum

   A woman likely to respond to this remedy feels hurried, anxious, and very emotional — with a tendency to fly into rages and make other people "walk on eggs." She often has a sensation of tightness in her chest, and a feeling as if her pelvic organs are pressing out, which can make her feel a need to sit a lot or cross her legs.

10. Natrum muriaticum

    A woman who needs this remedy may seem reserved, but has strong emotions that she keeps inside. She often feels deep grief and may dwell on the loss of happy times from the past or brood about hurts and disappointments. During menopause, she can have irregular periods accompanied by backaches or migraines. A person who needs this remedy usually craves salt, and feels worse from being in the sun.

11. Pulsatilla

    A person who needs this remedy is usually soft and emotional, with changeable moods and a tendency toward tears. Women are very attached to their families and find it hard to bear the thought of the children growing up and leaving home. They usually feel deeply insecure about getting older. A fondness for desserts and butter can often lead to weight problems. Changeable moods, irregular periods, queasy feelings, alternating heat and chills, and lack of thirst are common. Aggravation from stuffy rooms and improvement in open air & Delayed menarche may confirm the choice of Pulsatilla.

12. Staphysagria

    A person who needs this remedy usually seems mild-mannered, shy, and accommodating, but has many suppressed emotions. Women around the time of menopause may become depressed, or have outbursts of unaccustomed rage (even throwing or breaking things). Many people needing Staphysagria have deferred to a spouse for many years, or have experienced abuse in childhood.