A significant event occurs around the mid or late forties in women. It is called a change of life or menopause, to give it a proper medical term and is a perfectly normal event. It signifies the end of the female reproductive period of life, which commenced during a woman’s early teens. IN physical terms, it refers to the cessations of the monthly periods.
There are several misconceptions about menopause. Many women at this time feel that they are growing old and that they are well past their full physical vigour. Other woman feel that the menopause bring a cessation of sexual pleasure. These apprehensions are far from the truth. Menopause may be considered an end to woman’s fertility, but certainly not to her virility. It does not decrease a woman’s physical capacity and sexual vigour or enjoyment.
Symptoms
During the menopause, the entire chain of endocrine glands is disturbed, particularly the gonads, the thyroid and the pituitary glands. IN a really healthy woman, the menopausal change takes place without any unpleasant symptoms. In such a woman, the only sign of the change of life is the cessation of the menstrual flow. There are, however, many women who do not enjoy good health due to dietetic errors and a faulty style of living. In these cases, the menopausal change often leads to all kinds of distressing physical, emotional and nervous systems and manifestations.
Hot flushes, night sweats, nervous tension, menstrual disturbances, insomnia, a diminished interest in sex, irritability and depression are the typical symptoms of menopause. Other symptoms are a feeling of fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, headaches and numbness. Not every woman, will get these severe reactions. The severity or otherwise of the symptoms depends on a variety of factors such as general health, previous surgery and radiation. The problems of menopause are usually over when menstruation stops.
Causes
The annoying symptoms associated with menopause arise from the fact that the ovaries are no longer producing their normal amount of estrogen, the dominant female hormone. Anything which interferes with the normal functioning of the ovaries may also bring about these symptoms. The same strange feelings may occur if the ovaries are removed by surgery because of a disease. This can also result from heavy X-ray therapy or the use of radiation.
A lack of normal hormone balance may also result in a severe backache. This is caused by the thinning of the bones because of the low level of estrogen in the blood stream. Unless properly treated, this may eventually lead to a collapse of one or more of the vertebrae.