MENOPAUSE
Menopause is a normal condition that all female experience as
they age. The term “menopause” is commonly used to describe any of the changes a female experiences either
just before a female stops ovulating (producing eggs) and can no longer become pregnant and the body stops preparing the uterus
(womb) for a possibly pregnancy and finally the menstrual cycle stops.
Menopause, when it occurs after the age of 40,
is considered “natural” and is a normal part of aging however some female can experience menopause early,
either as a result of surgery such as hysterectomy or damage to the ovaries such as from chemotherapy.
Premature
menopause is menopause that occurs before the age of 40.
THREE STAGES OF MENOPAUSE
FIRST
STAGE KNOWN AS PERI-MENOPAUSE
Peri-Menopause typically begins several years before
menopause when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. In the last one or two years of peri-menopause, the decrease in
estrogen accelerates. In this stage, many females experience the following menopause symptoms;
1. Bladder Control problems.
2. Decreased Sex Drive.
3. Depression.
4.
Fatigue.
5. Headaches.
6. Hot
Flashes With Blushing & Sweating.
7. Insomnia.
8.
Irregular Or Skipped Periods.
9.
Irritability.
10. Joint & Muscle Aches/Pains.
11. Mood Swings.
12. Racing Heart.
13. Vaginal
Dryness.
SECOND STAGE KNOWN AS MENOPAUSE
Menopause is
the point when it’s been a year since a female has her last menstrual period. In this stage, the ovaries have
stopped releasing eggs and producing most of their estrogen.
THIRD STAGE KNOWN AS POST-MENOPAUSE
Post-Menopause
is the point when it’s been more than a year since a female has her last menstrual period. In this stage, some menopausal
symptoms such as hot flashes ease up. However, other health risks related to the loss of estrogen increase as the female ages
such as;
1.
Heart Disease.
2. Osteoporosis.
3.
Poor Bladder /Bowel Function.
4. Poor Brain Function.
5. Poor
Muscle Power/Tone.
6.
Some Deterioration In Vision.