Things You Should Know About Menopause
Posted on 24. Apr, 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
The common age for menopause is 50, but some women get there earlier or later. Women who experience menopause at their 30s or 40s are, technically speaking, having an early menopause.
Nature of menopause
Just like menstruation, menopause is a common occurrence in a woman’s life. It is defined as the 12-month period following a woman’s last menstruation. Once a woman hits the menopause stage, she will no longer be able to get pregnant.
Symptoms of menopause
A woman who is about to enter the menopausal stage is usually warned through several common signs; one of which is irregular periods. If you have always had a regular period and you suddenly started to skip and you’re just at that age when menopause happens, then it could be a sign.
Other common signs include hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, vaginal itchiness, urinary incontinence, difficulty sleeping, joint pains, irritability and fatigue. Decreased libido and vaginal dryness are also common among menopausal women.
Coping with the effects
There are ways to alleviate the bothersome effects of menopause. The most effective and most natural methods are to have a diet laden with vegetables and fruits and regular exercise. Cutting down on alcohol and cigarettes will also help.
For more severe cases, doctors usually recommend hormone replacement therapy and over the counter medications, particularly antidepressants like paroxetine and fluoxetine hydrochloride. However, a consultation with a doctor is necessary before you try any of these medications.
Menopause is not something to be ashamed of or something to worry about. It is a natural part of a woman’s life and should be dealt with accordingly.
