| must reads |
 |
 |
AMAZING GRACE By DR. GRACE CAROLE F. BELTRAN
For most menopausal women, growing old gracefully is easier said than done. With the many articles dealing with menopause, one just cannot help but be anxious about this stage in a woman’s life and all the concomitant changes that it may bring about.
For most menopausal women, growing old gracefully is easier said than done. With the many articles dealing with menopause, one just cannot help but be anxious about this stage in a woman’s life and all the concomitant changes that it may bring about.
What are the events that lead up to menopause? As a woman approaches her late thirties or early forties, fewer ovarian follicles (egg sacs) are left in her ovaries (egg and estrogen factory). Many of these may be of inferior quality, resulting in fewer frequent ovulation periods. Since the follicles produce much of the estrogen in your body, estrogen levels will also begin to decline at this time. Other tissues, as the fat cells, breast tissue and the adrenal glands can produce some estrogen, but still the ovaries are responsible for producing most of the estrogen in the body. When ovulation stops, estrogen production by the ovaries stops too.
Menopausal symptoms usually manifest in the mid- to late forties, just a few years before menopause itself. For some, these symptoms may be subtle and gradual; others find them intolerable.
Hot flashes. These are unpredictable and often occur even before the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. Some women may never have them while others experience them several times a day, lasting from three to five minutes each time. When this occurs, a sensation of heat spreads from your chest to your head, sometimes accompanied by dizziness or weakness. The skin may redden, followed by sweating and chills. It may last for a few months to several years, but generally cease within a year of the last menstrual period.
Skin changes. These result in the thinning of the epidermis. The number of pigment-containing cells decreases, so that skin is translucent and pale (age spots, liver spots, lentigos becomes more obvious). Hormonal changes and sunlight bring about changes in the dermis, reducing the skin’s elasticity and strength (elastosis).
Blood vessels in the dermis become fragile, leading to increase bruising and bleeding underneath the skin. Sebaceous glands produce less oil, contributing to further dryness and itchiness. Skin injury happens more often due to loss of skin insulation and padding secondary to loss of the skin’s third layer of fats.
Vaginal changes. Women may take longer to become lubricated and sexually aroused. Vaginal dryness for some may occur even before menopause. Vaginal atrophy, a more serious condition, is associated with the worsening or breakdown of tissues lining the vagina and other genital tissues. In addition to vaginal dryness, symptoms of vaginal atrophy include burning, itching, soreness and frequent vaginal inflammation. In time, intercourse may become uncomfortable or even painful.
Sex drive changes. This is a midlife crisis! There is an increased desire for sex, especially after menopause. This is because there is less fear of pregnancy, more privacy and energy as the children are older and independent by this time. Some women though may have decreased libido due to vaginal problems. That makes sex painful and or uncomfortable. Others may have recurrent urinary tract infection or stress incontinence (leaking of small amounts of urine during sexual intercourse, sneezing, coughing or strenuous physical activity). This makes sexual intercourse embarrassing.
Other changes are sleep disturbances, urinary changes, palpitations, night sweats, premenstrual-like symptoms, mood changes, headaches and menstrual irregularities.
There are effective treatments for many of the most bothersome symptoms as well as other health consequences associated with menopause. So for perimenopausal women out there, RELAX, take time to learn about menopause, and be reassured that every woman goes through it at one time or another.
| Statistics: |
| viewed:24886 |
| Current Reviews: 0 |
|
|
|
|
