Her body goes through changes that can affect her family life, her social life, her feelings about herself and how she functions at work. Complicated? Not really...
The beginning:
For the first 15 years - from birth to childhood to adolescence - she is careless,
free and wide-eyed with what the world has to offer her. She discovers
womanhood when she comes of age. She will be more self-conscious and curious
with the changes happening to her body. Life will be a voyage of exciting
adventures. Every experience is new and fresh.Pre-Menopause: Pre-menopause refers to the entirety of her reproductive life, from menstruation to menopause. Physical changes begin to accelerate in this stage which is immediately prior to menopause. She is most likely to experience visible physical changes due to the descent in hormone production.
Perimenopause:
Perimenopause means "about the time of menopause". It concerns the
two to eight years when hormone levels are changing. The most common
indications of perimenopause are irregular menstrual cycles, anxiety and lack
of energy or irritability caused by hormonal fluctuations. Women usually start
perimenopause between the ages of 39 and 51 but this differs with every woman.
Menopause: This
is a milestone that marks the end of the reproductive years. Menopause is often
misused to describe the entire transition from the reproductive years to the
non-reproductive years. In fact, menopause refers only to the completed state.
It is something she reaches, not something she "goes through'. It is a
natural part of ageing, and occurs when the ovaries stop making hormones called
oestrogen. When a woman ceases menstruation for about a year, she has most
probably reached menopause. The average age for menopause is around 45 to 60
but it could also happen earlier.
Low oestrogenic
levels are associated with some uncomfortable symptoms in many women.
The most common
and easy to recognise is "hot flashes" i.e. sudden waves of heat and
perspiration that interrupt sleep and daily living.
Other symptoms
may include vaginal or urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence (leakage
of urine or inability to control urine flow), headaches, vertigo, heart
palpitation, tinnitus, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, cloudy
thinking, anxiety and depression. Many women may also notice changes in their
skin, digestive tract and hair during menopause. Long-term problems linked to
low levels of oestrogens may include osteoporosis and increased risk of heart
disease.
Postmenopause:
This is when the menstrual cycle has ended for a year. Hormone levels carry on
declining and menopausal symptoms continue or intensify into the first year or
more of postmenopause. Oestrogen levels then become constant at low levels and
usually subside. This is a new chapter of life when a woman can enjoy the
freedom from menstrual flow and birth control issues.
Black cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa) also known as Black bugbane and Black snakeroot is a
member of the buttercup family found in rich woods of the eastern deciduous
forests of America. This perennial woodland plant likes the deep shade of moist
hillside that is also home of other medicinal plants such as golden seal and
ginseng. The root of black cohosh is used as an herbal ritual for `female
problems' and is taken as a dietary supplement that's said to be effective for
relieving and reducing symptoms of premenstrual tension, menopause and other
gynaecological problems.
In the past,
menopause was often surrounded by fallacies and folklore. Now, it is
acknowledged as a natural step of ageing. Contrary to the conservative view
that life spirals downward after menopause, many women today find that the
years after menopause offer new discoveries and bright challenges.
Today, medical
advances have resulted in a wide range of health care options that can enhance
the quality of life during menopause and the years afterwards. Understanding
menopause and the range of treatment choices can help women make the right
health decisions. - Article courtesy of Merck
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