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 Menopause is a natural part of a woman's aging process. It affects different women in different ways, so it is not surprising that there is confusion about what to expect and how to deal with the symptoms and issues of menopause. In this episode of Second Opinion, you will learn about the biological process of menopause, what you can do to alleviate its symptoms, and how to make the years after menopause among the best of your life.
Menopause is not a medical illness. And it does not signal the end of life. Menopause is simply the stage in a woman's life when menstruation ends. It is a normal and natural biological process - the aging of your reproductive system - brought on by the gradual loss of estrogen and progesterone , the sex hormones that are secreted by the ovaries.
Women reach menopause at different times in their lives. Most commonly, it occurs on average at age 51, but ages at which menopause begins can vary widely. For some women, this change starts in their early 30s or 40s, while others will not reach menopause until their early 60s.
All women experience menopause differently. For some, menopause poses relatively few problems. Others may be affected by a number of physical and emotional changes, some of which can cause disruption in a woman's life. These include:
- Irregular menstruation
- Vaginal and urinary tract changes
- Decreased fertility
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional fragility
- Changes in physical appearance
- Increased risk for osteoporosis and coronary heart disease
While menopause itself does not require treatment, the host of symptoms and conditions that can accompany this significant change in your biochemistry can affect your physical and emotional health and lifestyle. Your physician can help you explore a range of options for treating your symptoms and improving your quality of life during this important transition. Among them are:
- Hormone Therapy (HT)
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Healthy diet and regular exercise
- Medications
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