What is menopause?
Menopause is a normal biological event that occurs in all women. Average age of menopause of an Indian woman is 46.2 years much less than their Western counter parts (51 years); however, this age varies and can occur between 40 and 60 years old. It is diagnosed by loss of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months.
The onset of menopause is affected by:
- Genetics
- Illness
- Smoking
- Surgical removal of ovaries
- Medically induced menopause (such as chemotherapy for breast cancer)
Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms of menopause vary from woman to woman but will probably include any or a combination of the following:
- Hot flashes
- Libido or sexual health issues
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause or the "climacteric" is the phase that usually precedes the menopause and usually lasts three to five years.
Symptoms of Perimenopause :
Perimenopause can cause symptoms that are due to changes in estrogen and progesterone production by a woman’s ovaries. During this time a woman can experience the following symptoms:
- Irregular menses
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased libido or sexual health issues (link to that page)
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
Treatments for Menopause and Perimenopause
Treatments are available for these symptoms, but they are not for everyone and must be discussed individually with a provider in menopause health. These treatment options include:
- Hormone therapy
- Lower dose oral contraceptive pills
- Life style changes
- Phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen-like hormones)
- Non-hormonal prescription medications
- Laser treatment for vaginal atrophy
Treatments for women with artificially induced menopause:
Sometimes, in the course of medical treatment, physicians may induce artificial menopause in a woman. Gynecological cancers and autoimmune diseases are among those conditions for which treatment may involve artificially induced menopause.