Menopause Facts

Menopause is the term given to the last menstrual period, and is said to have occurred when you haven't had a period for 12 months.

If you do stop bleeding for 12 months and then start again it is advisable to see a doctor.

Menopause happens because women run out of eggs and our ovaries stop producing the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It generally occurs around 50-51 years of age but can happen anywhere from 40 - 65 years of age. Like our fertility and menstrual cycles in general menopause is a very individual experience.

Symptoms of Menopause

In the lead up to menopause (peri-menopause refers to 1 year before and 1 year after the last period), periods start to do all sorts of things, they may get heavier or lighter, last longer or get shorter in duration, they may start and stop, and they may no longer happen at regular intervals. Usually these changes seem to happen about 2 years before the last period occurs.

As ovulation may still be happening until that 12 months after your last period, it is probably best not to assume that you have had the last period until the 12 months is up. Therefore you may need to ensure that your method of contraception is reliable until the end if you do not wish to get pregnant.

20% of women report distressing symptoms at menopause.

15% have no problems

and the other 65% have a variation of symptoms.

Women who have a nurtueing supportive network suffer less at menopause than those who are emotionally isolated.

It's important to remember that not everything that happens around the time of menopause is menopause.

In the menstrual cycle there are three main players which are the brain, the ovaries and the uterus. When the t the ovaries go into retirement at menopause, it may take the brain some time to adjust to the fact that the ovaries are not responding in their customary hormonal tango.

The brain is still sending out its hormonal messengers but is not getting the required response from the ovaries. All this time however, the hormones are still stimulating chemical (and therefore physical and emotional) reactions in the womans body and this may be a major factor in all the symptoms and difficulties that some women have in adjusting at this time.

How a woman copes with menopause depends on her genetic heritage (so how did your mum, grandmother, and aunts cope?), physical environment, and emotional and spiritual outlook, attitude and support.

A woman may be coping just fine, but if she experiences crises in other areas (with her partner, job, children, teenagers) of her life, the added stress may compound and increase her menopausal distress. All these outside factors affect the female hormones and therfore affect the menopause experience.

Common Menopausal Experiences

hot flushes / falshes which can be on any part of the body at any time of the day or night at any frequency.
night sweats
restless legs
insomnia
headaches / or migraines that get worse
palpitations
anxiety/ panic attacks
mood swings
irritability
depression (can exacebate normal predisposition to depression)
altered memory or concentration
"Just not Coping" or "Am I going mad Doctor?"
Fatigue
Loss of or reduced or sometimes increased libido/sex drive
vaginal changes (drier or pain during sex)
breast tenderness
bloating

How do I know it's Menopause?

It's important to remember that not everything that happens around the time of menopause is menopause.

For example: Fatigue may be due to emotional stress and no support, menopause, low iron, or low thyroid hormone.Or palpitations may be due to anxiety, menopause or heart problems (including falling in love).

If you are really concerned about symptoms that you are experiencing see you health professional.

What can I do about Menopause

Allow yourself a little weight gain... it is good for your oestrogen levels, your bones and provides extra padding.

Find a good supportive partner / friend / friends

Get the information you need - attend seminars, read books, talk to a health professional, allopathis and alternative. This ebook How To Conquer Menopause contains a great deal of good information regarding menopause.

You may need to make changes in your lifestyle reviewing areas of nutrition, exercise, smoking and drinking.

There are alternative therapies like herbal or vitamin supplements, homeopathy, and acupuncture etc.

Maca Powder is an excellent and inexpensive addition to your diet see relieve Menopause Symptoms with Maca Powder Powder

Take up regular spiritual practise.

There is also Hormone replacement Therapy or Surgery.

I would like to thank Dr Christine Ahern from Womens Health Matters in Lismore 02 66202999 for the information above. I attended a very informative seminar on Menopause organised by this group.

Womens Health Matters are devoted to the health of aging women and have a great deal of expertise in the areas of menopause, osteoporosis and incontinence. They run a free clinic with 2 doctors , a womens health nurse, have a counselling service, do health education and have a library. If you live in the Northern Rivers Area (Grafton - Tweed Heads) and are concerned about any of these issues give them a call.