Hi ladies,
Although I find my brain is affected in that I forget things and words and stuff, I do sometimes have flashes of inspiration. Here's todays!
The menopause has hit me, its symptoms all too clear
Lucidity and logic are far away I fear
The flushes and the night sweats leave my skin so hot
Thinning hair and droopy boobs are now all that I’ve got
Anxiety has taken hold and panic stalks my brain
I’m wondering if normality will ever come again
Flabby stomach, heavy thighs; the weight it just piles on
When I look down I wonder where my pubic hair has gone
Other Half wonders why right now great sex is off the bill
If I ever get through this will he be with me still?
Aching joints and tearful moods make me such a moo
All I ever scream at him is “It’s alright for you!”
Anti-perspirant doesn’t work; there’s still a nasty smell
Menstruation please come back is what I want to yell
Light outside the tunnel is what I want to see
Dedicated to all ladies going through this and suffering!
 Menopause Symptoms
Menopause symptoms affect almost 70% of women and often begin long before menopause actually sets in. Peri-menopause signals the onset of this transitional period and lasts for a variable period of time. Although most menopausal symptoms, will improve on their own within 2 to 5 years of onset there are a number of things that may help you deal with them.
For some women changes in lifestyle, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and caffeine, managing stress, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet may be enough.
Menopause is experienced differently by every woman. While a friend may make the transition smoothly, you may face multiple physical and psychological symptoms. The commonly experienced symptoms of menopause are:
Menstrual irregularities:
The earliest symptom of per menopause is a change in your menstrual pattern, resulting from an uneven rise and fall in the levels of your reproductive hormones. Menstrual cycles that were previously very predictable may either lengthen or shorten, occurring every 2–3 weeks. Cycles where ovulation fails to occur gradually become more frequent. The amount of blood loss may also change, varying from scant to heavy. Periods may become longer and heavier as ovulation becomes increasing irregular and infrequent. Fertility also reduces as pregnancy can occur only when ovulation takes place.
Hot flushes:
Hot flushes are a frequent symptom and are reported by almost 75% of women, beginning up to 2 years before menopause and continuing for several years thereafter in about 10%. Described as an intense feeling of heat generally spreading from your face, neck and chest, a hot flush usually lasts several minutes. The exact cause of this phenomenon is largely unknown, though it is believed to be triggered by changes in the temperature controlling part of the brain. Sweating and palpitations may also occur alongside hot flushes, and night sweats may result when flushes occur during sleep. In severe cases, this symptom is known to disrupt work, sleep and quality of life.
Sleep disturbance:
Women entering menopause commonly need to grapple with distressing sleep disturbances, mostly owing to symptoms like night sweats. Many women find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, but this may also be an outcome of an underlying anxiety or a primary sleep disorder. Lack of sleep may result in fatigue, irritability, poorer short-term memory and concentration issues.
Vaginal symptoms:
Both vaginal and bladder symptoms occur commonly and are often quite distressing, but unfortunately many women are too embarrassed to discuss these issues with their doctors. Vaginal dryness, discomfort and itching may be troublesome in per menopause. Declining levels of oestrogen induce changes in the vagina, causing it to become thinner and atrophic. Atrophic changes are observed in about 30% of women during the early post-menopausal phase. Symptoms attributable to vaginal atrophy, however, may be seen several years after your final period too. The diminishing levels of the hormone oestrogen trigger vaginal dryness along with a loss in tissue elasticity. Sexual drive wanes as a result of the ensuing discomfort during sex or dyspareunia, together with declining libido in premenopausal and menopausal women
Urinary symptoms:
You may become more susceptible to frequent urinary infections during menopause and in the years following it. Urination may become more frequent. Changes in the urinary tract with a loss in muscle tone also make menopausal women susceptible to incontinence or an involuntary passage of urine during activities which increase the pressure on the bladder, like exercise, coughing, laughing or lifting heavy weights.
Mood changes:
It is unclear what exactly triggers mood swings in the premenopausal period. Depression, irritability, anxiety and nervousness induced by hormonal changes may be worsened by other distressing symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep and fatigue. Other major upheavals occurring during this period of a woman’s life such as coping with teenaged children and work related stress may all contribute to this.
Joint pains:
Early morning pain and stiffness of the hands, knees, hips, shoulders and lower back have been reported by premenopausal women. Although falling oestrogen levels are believed to be responsible for this symptom, the precise cause remains unclear.
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Joint Pain During the Menopause
Menopause is a natural aging process that occurs when a woman stops ovulating and stops having her monthly menstrual cycles. This usually happens between 45 and 55 years of age. There are fluctuations in the levels of the sex hormones – oestrogens and progesterone. Common symptoms are changes in the menstruation pattern, hot flashes, mood changes, sweating and urinary problems. Muscular weakness and joint pains are also seen in some women.
Why is there joint pain during menopause?
More women than men of their age, especially those over 55 years, have osteoarthritis – inflammation of the joints. The fact that men and women are affected differently points towards the role played by sex hormones. It is also seen that women in postmenopausal age often complain of joint pains. Joint pain, during and after menopause, could occur due to falling levels of oestrogen in the body. The actual correlation between oestrogen and joint pain is not clearly understood, but oestrogen is known to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body. So depletion of oestrogen during menopause makes women more sensitive to pain.
How can you control the falling levels of oestrogen?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Synthetic oestrogen may be used to supplement the low levels in the body. But HRT cannot be used as the first line of treatment for menopausal joint pain. Certain studies have shown that use of postmenopausal oestrogen may lead to a more severe condition of osteoarthritis. This treatment must be used with care as 10% of the women who resort to HRT experience side effects like fluid retention, headaches, swollen breasts, vaginal discharge and weight gain.
What are the other treatment options for joint pain during menopause?
Non-Pharmacological Interventions:
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Mechanical aids
- Transcutaneous nerve stimulation – This is a treatment used to lower perception of pain and helps in control of chronic or acute pain.
- Local massage
- Acupuncture
- Pain management counseling
- Assistive devices
- Knee sleeves
- Physical therapy
Pharmacological Treatment:
- Pain killers
- Topical pain relievers
- Intra-articular steroid injections
- Nutraceuticals – a combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical components like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, which have medicinal effects on health
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Physical changes:
Declining levels of the hormone oestrogen at menopause results in thinning of the skin and a reduction in its elasticity. Your skin may feel either more dry or oily than normal, with an alteration in its tone and the appearance of fine lines. Many menopausal women report a sensation akin to ants crawling over the skin, called ‘formicatin.’ Thinning of scalp hair may also be evident, with an increase in facial hair.
Weight gain at menopause is believed to result from a natural slowing of your body’s metabolism, and this is also associated with aging and a change in lifestyle.
Falling oestrogen levels along with rising levels of the androgen hormone at menopause are also responsible for the redistribution of body fat from the hips and thighs to the abdomen, the so-called middle-age spread. Reduction in oestrogen also places menopausal women at risk of health conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Bone loss is most marked 5 to 10 years after menopause, resulting in fragile bones which may fracture easily. Unfavourable changes may also be noted in your blood cholesterol levels, with a rise in the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) and a fall in HDL (or ‘good’ cholesterol). These biochemical
Menopause defined.
Simply put, menopause can be defined as the end of regular menstruation. Yet dealing with it is rarely simple. While some may sail through this time of their lives, others can suffer severely from menopausal symptoms.
Most women go through menopause in their 40s or 50s, however, some women may experience it earlier or later in life. While each woman may experience menopause differently, it can generally be explained in three phases.
Moving through menopause: the phases.
Just as every woman's body is unique, each woman's menopausal experience is highly personal. How long each phase lasts varies from woman to woman.
Natural versus surgical menopause.
Natural menopause. Natural menopause occurs when your body stops producing estrogen. It is the lowering of estrogen levels that causes menopausal symptoms and raises your osteoporosis risk.
Surgical menopause. Surgical menopause is the result of the removal of the ovaries. In most cases, this is also associated with the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).This immediate loss of estrogen following surgery can trigger sudden and severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Why it’s tough to keep your cool.
The balancing act. Your reproductive cycle is based on a delicate balance of two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate your menstrual cycle and prepare your body for pregnancy. As you mature, your ovaries naturally change the levels of these hormones they produce. When menopause occurs, it is the decrease in estrogen that causes menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
- Hot flashes. These occur when low estrogen levels trick your brain into thinking your body is too warm – even though it’s not. Your face and neck feel hot and may look red and flushed. You may even perspire considerably.
- Night sweats. Night sweats can wake you up, disturb your sleep patterns and deprive you of a good night’s rest.
- Vaginal dryness. The decreased levels of estrogen in your body can also cause the walls of your vagina to thin. These changes can create vaginal discomfort including dryness, itching, burning and discomfort during sex.
How long will menopause last?
Every woman experiences the stages of menopause differently and for different lengths of time. For some women, symptoms may last for many years.
But there are ways you can ease the symptoms. It is important for you to pay attention to how you are feeling and talk to your healthcare professional about it. Together, you can create a treatment plan that is right for you
Treatment Options
Find your comfort zone.
While there’s no way to avoid menopause, there are things you can do to reduce the impact symptoms have on your feeling of well being and your daily routine. These include:
- Lifestyle Changes. Simple steps such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and trying natural stress reducers like yoga or meditation can help you feel better and benefit your health overall. Before starting a new exercise program, talk with your healthcare professional about what types of exercise may be best for you.
- Alternative Therapies. While not clinically proven, nutritional supplements such as black cohosh may have a small effect on helping to ease menopausal symptoms.
- Prescr i ption Therapies. Hormone therapy (HT) supplements the body’s low estrogen and progesterone levels. The estrogen in HT helps to relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. As it does not take much estrogen to help women manage their symptoms, it may not be necessary to raise hormone levels to what they were before menopause.
Easing the symptoms.
HT is one of the most effective options to help manage menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Below is an overview of the forms of HT currently available:
- Oral hormone therapies. HT has been available in pill form for decades. These medications are taken at the same time daily and are extremely effective when it comes to treating menopausal symptoms. It is important that you take your pills as directed to experience steady relief from menopausal symptoms. There are different types of estrogens and progestins used in different oral HTs. ANGELIQ® tablets (drospirenone/estradiol) contains estradiol and the unique progestin drsp.® Ask your healthcare professional what this may mean for you.
- Patch therapies. Patch or transdermal HT delivers hormones directly into the bloodstream through the skin. Medication is delivered evenly and continuously for efficient dosing and no spiking. Some patches are designed to last an entire week.
- Hormone gels and vaginal creams. Hormone gels are applied topically to the skin and sometimes can help relieve menopausal symptoms. HT creams contain small amounts of estrogen and progestin and are applied directly to the vagina to help relieve vaginal soreness, dryness and itching. Unlike other forms of HT, vaginal creams do not relieve hot flashes or night sweats.
- Vaginal inserts. Vaginal inserts are small rings that release estrogen. They are placed into the vagina and need to be replaced every three months.
With so many forms of HT available, you may want to talk to your healthcare professional about these options to determine which one may be right for you.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Positive steps for a healthier you.
As you move through menopause and beyond, monitoring your health and taking care of yourself can play a significant role in how you feel and your well being.
- Schedule an annual checkup. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk to your healthcare professional about the changes you’re experiencing and your overall health. Routine checks such as an annual Pap smear can help detect potential cancers. The sooner problems are detected, the sooner they may be treated.
If you’re taking hormone therapy (HT), use these visits to review your treatment plan and ask any questions about HT and any medications you may be taking.
- Get a mammogram. As you age, your risk for breast cancer rises. A mammography (mammogram) is the most common screening method for detecting abnormalities in the breast. A mammogram is a low-intensity X-ray that can find more than 90% of breast cancers.
It is recommended that women between the ages of 40 and 49 have a mammogram every one or two years. After age 50, it’s recommended to schedule one annually.
- Get a bone mineral density (BMD) test. During menopause, women begin to lose more bone than what is replaced, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens the bones to the point that they become fragile and break easily. A BMD test assesses your risk of developing osteoporosis, and is an accurate indicator of your bone health.
Consider lifestyle changes.
Additionally, the following lifestyle tips can make a big difference in how you feel.
- Create balance. Emotional health during this time requires making a conscious effort to balance the obligations of work and caring for others with the need to look after yourself. It’s important to take time for yourself, talk with friends, do the activities you enjoy, and maintain a healthy sense of humor.
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise may help with mood swings, weight gain and general health. For healthy bones, aim to do weight-bearing forms of exercise such as walking, jogging or dancing three times a week.
- Eat a healthy diet. Make a point of choosing foods that are low in fat, high in fiber, and rich in calcium. Reach for healthy alternatives such as fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, soy foods and fat-free dairy foods.
- Stay intimate. Along with menopause, you may enjoy a new sense of sexual freedom – no more periods! However, with this new freedom, you may also experience a new set of challenges.
Lower levels of estrogen in your body can cause your genital area to become drier and thinner, possibly making sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Lack of sleep can further add to a decreased level of sexual desire. While ANGELIQ® tablets (drospirenone/estradiol) can help alleviate vaginal dryness, talking with your partner about each other’s needs and expectations can also go a long way.
Remember, just because you have gone through menopause and no longer need to worry about birth control doesn’t mean you are not still at risk for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV (AIDS). Condoms are still a reliable way to protect yourself.may be right for you.
February 20, 2008, 12:59 pm
 Is coping with menopause harder in rural areas? (Eddie Seal/Bloomberg News)Menopause — a time of hot flashes, poor sleep and mood shifts — can be a difficult time for any woman. But women who live in rural areas may suffer more, a new study shows.
The menopausal experience varies widely among women. It’s estimated that about 75 percent of women experience hot flashes, ranging from mild to severe. But many women report debilitating symptoms that interfere with family life, relationships and work. The impact of menopause often depends on where a woman is in her life. A woman who works in a relaxed office with other middle-aged women may be less troubled by menopausal symptoms than a woman who is caring for an elderly parent and can’t afford the heart-pounding, sweaty distraction of a hot flash.
Living in a rural environment can add extra pressures to coping with menopause,
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